A predatory sex offender from East London has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after sexually assaulting a sleeping woman on the Tube and then offering her £20 to sleep with him.
Horrific assault on late-night Jubilee line train
Stanislaw Pozniecki, 49, of Billet Road in Walthamstow, targeted his 25-year-old victim on a southbound Jubilee line train shortly before midnight on January 2, 2022. The woman was sleeping when Pozniecki initially sat opposite her before moving to the adjacent seat after his attempts to wake her failed.
The victim awoke to find herself being sexually assaulted by the stranger. In a shocking development, Pozniecki then attempted to give her £20 in cash in exchange for sleeping with him, demonstrating a chilling disregard for her wellbeing and autonomy.
Escape and intervention at Wembley Park station
When the train arrived at Wembley Park station, the woman managed to escape her attacker and moved to sit on a platform bench. However, Pozniecki approached her again, displaying persistent predatory behaviour that was fortunately noticed by an alert member of rail staff.
The staff member observed Pozniecki's strange conduct and immediately intervened, asking him to move away from the distressed woman. Once alone, the victim was able to disclose the assault, prompting an urgent call to the British Transport Police (BTP).
Court sentencing and prevention orders
Pozniecki was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration. At Southwark Crown Court on January 29, he was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.
In addition to his prison term, Pozniecki received a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that imposes strict restrictions on his future behaviour. The order prohibits him from:
- Approaching lone women on the UK rail network
- Touching, staring at, or sitting next to lone women on trains
- Making any attempts to communicate with lone women on the London Underground or other rail services
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge as part of his sentencing.
Police commend victim's courage and staff vigilance
BTP Detective Constable Jamie Saunders praised both the victim's bravery and the rail staff member's quick thinking. "Pozniecki sought out and assaulted a lone woman who was simply travelling home," said DC Saunders. "His abhorrent actions were predatory, and I am pleased to see him handed this jail term."
"It is thanks to the courage and support of the victim that we have been able to bring him before the courts and put him behind bars for years to come," he continued. "I would also like to extend my thanks to the member of rail staff who spotted something suspicious, immediately intervened, and called the police."
Reporting sexual offences on public transport
The British Transport Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling sexual offences on the rail network. They urge anyone who experiences or witnesses such crimes to report them immediately by texting 61016.
"We take every report seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Pozniecki to justice," emphasised DC Saunders, highlighting the force's determination to make public transport safer for all passengers.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance on public transport and the crucial role that both passengers and staff can play in preventing and reporting criminal behaviour.
