LONGTOWN MAN LUCASZ LISAKOWSKI SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING IN CUMBRIA

In a significant case highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, Lucasz Lisakowski, a 30-year-old resident of Swan Street, Longtown, was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months in prison after admitting to serious offences related to child grooming. The sentencing took place at Carlisle Crown Court, marking a decisive step in the local authorities' campaign to protect vulnerable minors from predators operating within the region.

Lisakowski’s arrest was the culmination of a proactive police operation conducted by the Cumbria Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit. The operation, which began in late July 2013, focused on monitoring online interactions on social media platforms, particularly the Badoo chat site. During this investigation, officers identified Lisakowski engaging in conversations with a 13-year-old girl, which quickly escalated into sexually explicit exchanges. Over the following weeks, Lisakowski continued to groom the young girl through these online conversations, with the intent of meeting her in person for sexual purposes.

On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, Lisakowski arranged to meet the girl in Carlisle City Centre. When he arrived at the designated meeting spot, police officers, who had been waiting nearby, promptly arrested him. The charges brought against him included causing or inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity and meeting a child following sexual grooming. These serious allegations underscored the gravity of his actions and the threat posed to the safety of minors in the community.

Lisakowski appeared before Carlisle Crown Court on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, where he pleaded guilty to the charges. His guilty plea led to a sentencing of 32 months imprisonment. In addition to his incarceration, Lisakowski will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order upon his release. This order is designed to restrict his access to the internet and prevent him from engaging in further online activities that could facilitate the exploitation of children.

Following the sentencing, DCI Rob O’Connor of Cumbria Constabulary emphasized the importance of proactive policing in safeguarding children online. He stated, “Lisakowski’s arrest was as a result of a proactive operation to ensure that young children can use social media and remain safe. He engaged in sexualised conversation with a view to meeting a young girl for his own sexual gratification. His arrest and sentence should send a real strong message out to others that we are watching them, and we will target them with a view to putting them in front of the Courts with the assistance of other partner agencies.”

He further added, “Once released from prison, Lisakowski will have restrictions on his use of the internet which will ensure he cannot target young girls again in the same manner. His custodial sentence will give him the time to reflect on his actions, and my message is simple that we will target others if they engage in similar activity to Lisakowski.”

DCI O’Connor also highlighted the importance of online safety for children, encouraging parents to be vigilant and informed. He pointed to the recent summer internet safety campaign, which offers guidance on protecting children in digital spaces. For more information, the public is advised to visit the official Cumbria Police website at http://www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/online-safety.

Isla Chilton, the Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, reinforced the seriousness of the case, stating, “Lukasz Lisakowski instigated sexually explicit internet conversations and arranged to meet a 13-year-old girl. Following proactive work by Cumbria Constabulary, Lisakowski was arrested. It is obvious from the evidence that his intentions were to groom and then sexually exploit a young girl. The Crown Prosecution Service is wholly committed to tackling offences of this nature and we are working alongside the police and other agencies to ensure that those who exploit or attempt to exploit children in this way are brought to justice.”