LUKASZ GAJOWSKI CAUGHT AT GATESHEAD METRO STATION IN SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

A man identified as Lukasz Gajowski has been handed a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of taking inappropriate photographs of a schoolgirl and possessing indecent images of children. The incident occurred at Gateshead Metro station, where a woman waiting for a train noticed Gajowski behaving suspiciously and took action that ultimately led to his arrest.

According to reports presented at Newcastle Crown Court, Gajowski, aged 39, was observed by the vigilant woman as he appeared to be attempting to photograph a young girl’s skirt. The girl, estimated to be around 14 years old, was unaware of his actions at the time. The witness made eye contact with Gajowski, which prompted him to quickly retreat from his position behind the girl. Recognizing the suspicious behavior, she promptly reported the incident to police authorities.

Law enforcement officials responded swiftly, and CCTV footage from the station was retrieved to aid in identifying the suspect. A colleague of Gajowski recognized him from the footage and provided information to the police, which eventually led to his arrest. During police interviews, Gajowski chose not to comment on the allegations. However, a subsequent search of his mobile phone revealed a disturbing collection of indecent images of children, including 21 pictures and videos classified in the most serious category of child exploitation material. These images depicted children as young as four years old being subjected to abuse.

The case faced significant delays, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a backlog in digital forensic processing within police services. Prosecutor Amber Walker expressed regret over the delay, which extended nearly four years before reaching court.

Judge Julie Clemitson commended the quick-thinking woman who identified and reported Gajowski’s suspicious behavior. She described his actions as “brazen” and emphasized the potential psychological impact on young victims, noting that such behavior could cause distress, anxiety, and fear among children traveling on public transport.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Clemitson highlighted that Gajowski had engaged in online chat rooms with other paedophiles and had accumulated a collection of images that demonstrated a clear sexual interest in children. She stated, “Each of those images and videos shows a real child being horrifically abused in order to satisfy the desires of people like you.” The judge further explained that viewing or downloading such material actively promotes and encourages the abuse of children.

Due to prison overcrowding and the significant delay in bringing the case to court, Gajowski’s jail sentence was suspended for two years. He was sentenced to one year in prison but will serve no time unless he commits further offenses within that period. Additionally, he is required to cooperate with probation services, complete 100 hours of unpaid community work, and adhere to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order that restricts his access to internet-enabled devices.