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| Mateusz Otfinowski |
Mateusz Otfinowski, 23, of Lord Street, Morecambe has today been sentenced at Preston Crown Court to life imprisonment for the rape of two women and for trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Otfinowskipleaded guilty in October 2014 to the rape of a woman in Lancaster on 3 March 2014 and the rape of a woman in Morecambe on 26 July 2014.
Earlier in January he also pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence. This relates to a separate incident on 15 March 2014 at student accommodation in Lancaster in which he gained access to the property via an insecure window.
Otfinowski will serve a minimum term of seven and a half years in prison before he can apply for parole.
Detective Inspector Richard McCutcheon said: “Otfinowski subjected each of his victims to a terrifying ordeal. These were despicable crimes committed against lone, vulnerable women who were targeted late at night. Otfinowski approached his victims, who were not known to him and gained their trust and confidence by being polite to them, engaging them in conversation and offering to walk them home. He then attacked one female in a secluded side street and the other in her home after entering the premises without the victim’s knowledge or consent.
“In March 2014, Otfinowski also gained access to student accommodation in Lancaster with the intention of committing a sexual offence. Fortunately the female students who were asleep at the time had locked their bedroom doors and he was unable to gain entry to their rooms and left the address.
“I am pleased with the sentence handed down to Otfinowski today and I hope it brings some closure to his victims. I would like to praise them for the tremendous courage they have shown throughout the investigation.
“Thankfully cases like this are rare and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in any circumstances to come forward and report the crime to us. We are committed to investigating all allegations of this nature thoroughly and sensitively.
• Anyone who has been the victim of similar offences can contact the Police on 101 and quote log number 0183 of January 22nd 2015 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Alternatively you can contact Lancashire SAFE Centre on 01772 523344 who can provide independent support and advice