Lukasz Gajowski

Gateshead Man Sentenced for Upskirting Schoolgirl and Possessing Indecent Images

On 3 December 2020, Lukasz Gajowski, a 39-year-old resident of Bensham, Gateshead, brazenly targeted an unsuspecting schoolgirl at Gateshead Interchange Metro station. The victim, estimated to be around 14 years old and wearing her school uniform, was leaning against a wall when Gajowski crept up behind her and lunged forward with his mobile phone to capture an upskirting image of the lower part of her skirt. The girl remained unaware of his actions at the time.

A quick-thinking member of the public witnessed the incident and made eye contact with Gajowski, who then quickly moved away. She noted the exact time and immediately alerted the authorities. Police retrieved CCTV footage from the station, which captured the perpetrator clearly. The footage was publicised in local media, including Chronicle Live, leading to Gajowski's identification by a work colleague who contacted Northumbria Police.

Upon arrest, officers discovered multiple indecent images of children on Gajowski's phone. He had pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and three counts of making indecent images of children. The images included 21 Category A (the most serious), 13 Category B, and 17 Category C, depicting young teenagers and children as young as four. These were not images taken by Gajowski himself.

At Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutor Amber Walker described the incident: '(The woman) noticed that Mr Gajowski was lunging with his hand and it was outstretched towards the lower part of a skirt of a teenage girl who at the time was wearing a school uniform.' Judge Julie Clemitson commended the witness for her vigilance and addressed Gajowski directly, stating: 'Your behaviour towards the girl was brazen with apparently no regard for the risk someone would see what you were doing. It appears you have little understanding of the harm your offending might cause. Clearly if that schoolgirl had realised what you were doing it would have had some effect on her.'

Gajowski, who had no previous convictions and had been employed until recently, faced significant delays in the case proceedings, leading to financial debt. The court imposed a 12-month suspended sentence for two years, 100 hours of unpaid work, registration on the sex offenders' register, and a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. This case highlights the role of public awareness and swift police action in addressing voyeurism and child exploitation offences in public spaces.