Jacek Brzozowski

Jacek Brzozowski, a Polish national now aged 35 from Rawmarsh in Rotherham, admitted earlier this year to a charge of penetrative sexual activity with a child, contributing to the exploitation detailed in the Sheffield Crown Court trial of his co-defendants. Although cleared of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity during the five-week trial, his guilty plea links him to the abuse of one of the vulnerable teenage victims in the Rotherham grooming scandal.

The underlying offences occurred more than 10 years ago, aligning with the period of widespread child sexual exploitation in Rotherham from 1997 to 2013, investigated by the National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood. Brzozowski was among the older men in their twenties who befriended the girls from a children's home, using alcohol, cigarettes, and parties to groom them. Prosecutor Gordon Stables outlined how the defendants, including Brzozowski, knew the girls were under the age of consent and intended to engage in penetrative sexual activity, treating them as disposable once satisfied.

• Brzozowski was bailed pending sentencing on April 14.
• He admitted to having penetrative sexual activity with a child victim.
• His involvement was part of the group exploitation at house parties.
• The victim was kept intoxicated and vulnerable during the abuse.

Senior investigating officer Kath Blain commented: 'Brzozowski contributed to their suffering, including by having sex with one of the girls who he knew was a child and vulnerable.' Operation Stovewood, prompted by the 2014 Jay Report exposing the abuse of at least 1,400 girls, has identified over 1,100 child victims and represents a £90 million effort to achieve justice. Brzozowski's admission underscores the network of perpetrators involved in conditioning the girls to accept sexual activity as repayment for minor gifts.

Crown Prosecution Service specialist prosecutor Martin McRobb highlighted the victims' courage: 'These defendants preyed on vulnerable young girls who they knew they could groom with alcohol and gifts with the sole aim of repeatedly sexually exploiting them.' While his co-defendants await sentencing on Wednesday, Brzozowski's case illustrates the ongoing accountability for those who participated in these 'vile and serious sexual offences' against children.