Rafal Jastrzebski

A convicted sex offender from Southampton has been imprisoned again after deliberately breaching a sexual harm prevention order shortly after his release from custody. Rafal Jastrzebski, 35, of Languard Road, Southampton, admitted to the breaches at Southampton Crown Court, where details of his actions were outlined by prosecutors.

In March 2023, Jastrzebski was sentenced to two years in prison for four offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was released on licence at the end of January 2024 and fitted with an electronic tag to monitor his movements. As part of a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, he was prohibited from approaching within 50 metres of any school or children's play area.

However, less than 24 hours after his release, Jastrzebski embarked on a walk in Southampton that took him on what the judge described as a 'circular route' past two schools and a children's play area. Police received alerts from his electronic tag indicating his proximity to these prohibited locations. Prosecutor Edward Warren told the court: 'It was confirmed the children had been on their break and outside in the playground at the time the defendant passed by.' Warren added that Jastrzebski also went near another school and a children's play area before his arrest and subsequent recall to prison.

Defence counsel Jamie Gammon argued that the breaches were not deliberate, stating: 'My instructions are that this was not a deliberate breach. He was heading to see friends and forgot he was the subject of the order.' Gammon further noted the presence of the electronic tag, saying: 'Knowing the police knew where he was, it seems bizarre that he would walk straight to a school. He now knows he will immediately be found out if he does it again.'

Judge Christopher Parker KC rejected the defence's claims, ruling the actions as intentional. He stated: 'You were made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order that prevented you from going within 50 metres of a school or play area. Within 24 hours of being released you went on a circular pedestrian route that took you near two schools and a playground. It seems plain to me that these were three deliberate breaches on the same day. Clearly there was a risk of some harm. It provided you with an opportunity to come into contact with children.'

For each of the three breaches, Jastrzebski received a ten-month custodial sentence, to run concurrently with each other and with the remainder of his original two-year term. This arrangement means he is expected to be released early next year. The case was reported by the Daily Echo, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect children from individuals with prior sexual offence convictions.