Mateusz Otfinowski

Mateusz Otfinowski, 23, from Lord Street in Morecambe, Lancashire, has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court for a series of despicable sexual offences against vulnerable women. The attacks occurred in 2014, with Otfinowski pleading guilty in October to four counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.

The first incident took place in Lancaster in March 2014, where Otfinowski raped a woman in a secluded side street. He approached her late at night, engaging her in polite conversation and offering to walk her home to gain her trust, before subjecting her to a terrifying ordeal. Just a few months later, in July 2014, he attacked a second woman in her home in Morecambe, entering without her knowledge or consent and raping her. Police described these as targeted crimes against lone, vulnerable women who did not know the perpetrator.

In addition to the rapes, Otfinowski admitted to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence in a separate incident in March 2014. He entered student accommodation in Lancaster through an open window, but fortunately, the female students had locked their bedroom doors, preventing further harm. Detective Inspector Richard McCutcheon of Lancashire Police stated: "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."

The sentencing at Preston Crown Court highlighted the severity of Otfinowski's actions, with the judge ordering him to serve a minimum of seven years before being eligible for parole. Lancashire Police, who investigated the case, emphasised the predatory nature of the offences, noting how Otfinowski used deception to approach his victims. The case was reported by the BBC, drawing attention to the dangers faced by women in isolated situations.