Kazimierz Kowejsza

In a shocking incident that horrified the local community in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, 54-year-old Kazimierz Kowejsza was witnessed abusing a young girl through a bedroom window on a Sunday evening in September 2013. Shocked onlookers immediately called 999, alerting authorities to the ongoing assault. Upon arrival, police officers entered the property and found Kowejsza naked with the child, while his partner, Eva Tyrminska, was hiding under the bed, having aided and abetted the abuse.

The case came to light at Hull Crown Court, where Kowejsza, originally from Poland and residing in Wakefield, pleaded guilty to charges of rape and attempted rape of the young girl. His actions were described by Judge Mark Bury as the 'vilest' abuse, committed in front of six witnesses who looked on in shock and disbelief. The judge noted that both Kowejsza and Tyrminska were under the influence of alcohol but fully aware of their actions. Kowejsza initially protested his innocence to police, claiming he was simply preparing for bed at 6pm, and neither he nor Tyrminska expressed any remorse for the offence.

• The abuse occurred in a bedroom of their Wakefield home, visible to passers-by.
• Social services had been alerted twice prior to the incident regarding the girl's neglect, but the immediate police response ensured her removal.
• The girl is now thriving in permanent foster care, as confirmed by Wakefield Council.

Sentencing took place in June 2014, with Judge Bury imposing a 13-and-a-half-year custodial sentence on Kowejsza. He will be required to sign the UK Sex Offenders Register for life and may face deportation to Poland before completing his term. Defence barrister Robin Frieze highlighted that Kowejsza had no prior record of offending in the UK or Poland. Following the case, Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Taylor of West Yorkshire Police described the crime as 'truly horrendous' and emphasised the force's commitment to tackling sexual exploitation, particularly against children. He urged anyone with information on similar offences to contact police on 101.

Wakefield Council confirmed they would not conduct a serious case review, noting that the family had been known to them for 18 months with support in place. A subsequent public alert led to swift action, placing the child in a safe foster environment. The incident underscores the vital role of community vigilance in preventing child abuse.