HULL MAN JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEEN GIRL AT SWIMMING POOL
A man named Tomasz Figura has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a public swimming pool in Hull.The assault occurred after Figura watched the girl showering in the changing rooms, during which he caused her severe psychological harm and continued to impact her even after the incident.
The court heard that Figura, 46, of Cave Street, off Beverley Road, Hull, denied charges of assault by penetration, sexual assault, and voyeurism, but was convicted by a jury at Hull Crown Court on April 8.
The court was told that Figura received sexual gratification from seeing the girl in the shower and touched her intimately while she was in the shower area.
The incident led the girl to suffer vivid nightmares, panic attacks, and a lifelong discomfort around the smell of chlorine.
Figura failed to attend his sentencing at Grimsby Crown Court on May 9 because he admitted he was drunk, and he was later arrested for missing the hearing.
During the trial, the girl described feeling overwhelmed, crying herself to sleep, and being unable to cope with the memories, which included scenes from the assault constantly replaying in her mind.
Figura appeared in court via video link from Hull Prison and claimed that the allegations were lies.
Prosecutor Claire Holmes stated that the girl suffered ‘severe psychological harm’ from what happened.
The court also learned that Figura, who had no previous sexual convictions but had a caution for possessing an air weapon last year, has health issues that leave him in a wheelchair, which could make incarceration more difficult.
The judge described the impact on the girl as dreadful and imposed a sexual harm prevention order requiring Figura to register as a sex offender for life.
He was also helped during the hearing by a Polish interpreter and apologized for missing earlier court dates, claiming intoxication as the reason.
The sentence reflects the seriousness of the harm caused and the need to protect others from similar offenses.
