Rapist Dariusz Matejewicz jailed 18 years for attacks on four women and baby

A Polish-born man has been sentenced to 18 years for raping four former partners and assaulting a baby across Scotland between 2007 and 2022.

Polish-born man convicted of 12 offences including five rapes across Scotland

A man described by police as "violent and depraved" has been sentenced to 18 years in custody after being convicted of raping four former partners and assaulting a baby, the Daily Express reports.

Dariusz Matejewicz, 39, formerly of Inverness, committed multiple rapes and violent offences between 2007 and 2022 across Inverness, Aviemore, Dingwall and Glenrothes. He was born in Poland and moved to Scotland at the age of 19 to work in hospitality.

Matejewicz was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 28 April, of 12 offences including five counts of rape, assault to danger of life, assault, indecent assault and stalking. He denied all charges during the trial.

Baby attacked on multiple occasions

One of the most serious elements of the case involved an infant aged between three and six months old. In 2008, Matejewicz forced a fabric ball into the baby's mouth, obstructing her airway, threatened to throw her against a wall and dropped the pram she was in. The court heard that all of these acts were carried out to the danger of her life, according to the BBC.

Pattern of abuse across multiple relationships

Matejewicz targeted his partner at the time between May 2007 and September 2008. He held a knife to her neck, kicked her in the head and held her hand over a hot cooker. He threatened to kill her if she tried to leave, and subjected her to repeated rapes and sexual assaults.

A second woman was raped at an address in Glenrothes on 5 October 2011. Matejewicz raped her while she was asleep and continued after she woke, STV News reported.

A third woman was subjected to abuse between October 2013 and June 2014 at Dingwall and elsewhere in Scotland. He repeatedly struck her on the head and body, kicked her, ripped hair from her head and made threats of violence towards her family. He also raped her at a hotel in Dingwall in June 2014.

A fourth woman was "repeatedly raped" by Matejewicz during the summer of 2021, the trial heard. He also threatened her with a knife.

Sentencing at the High Court in Stirling

Matejewicz was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling. Judge Lord Stuart said his conduct "constituted a very significant body of offending". In addition to the 18-year custodial term, Matejewicz will serve a further seven years in the community upon release, with the possibility of being returned to prison should he reoffend. A non-harassment order was also imposed.

Detective Inspector Gordon Patullo of Police Scotland said Matejewicz had now been "held accountable" for his actions. "The women and child affected by his actions have suffered deeply, and I hope this sentence provides them with some measure of comfort," Patullo said. "His conviction is a direct result of their strength in coming forward and providing information which assisted our enquiries."

Patullo added that anyone with concerns about sexual or violent abuse should contact Police Scotland on 101 or one of its support services.

Source: Daily Express