North Yorkshire Man Jailed for Stabbing Ex-Partner

A man from North Yorkshire who previously threatened and attacked his former partner has been sentenced to jail for six and a half years. Rafal Rekowski, from Selby, was found guilty after he threatened and strangled the victim before stabbing her three times. The incident occurred after the victim refused to go to Poland with him, despite Rekowski's demands. At Leeds Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to charges of wounding with intent and carrying an offensive weapon. In addition to his prison sentence, Rekowski will spend three years on extended license and has been issued a lifelong restraining order. Evidence showed that he installed software on his ex-partner's computer to monitor her social media activities following their separation. In May, he visited her residence armed with a knife, threatened her, strangled her, and demanded she travel to Poland with him. She managed to escape to a nearby group for help, but Rekowski approached her again and inflicted three stab wounds to her back, shoulder, and arm. He abandoned the weapon in a storm drain, which was later recovered. The court heard that Rekowski had earlier sent her a message indicating he was going to have a cigarette and would be in prison the following day, along with threats to 'catch you this way or the other in a couple of years.' Investigating officer Det. Alex Dorlin commented that the attack could have been much more serious if not for those nearby who intervened. Reaching a guilty plea meant the victim avoided a trial, and while the sentence cannot undo her trauma, they hope it helps her begin healing.