Man jailed for raping two women a decade apart

Marcin Janikowski, of Cusance Way, Hilperton, raped two women 10 years apart

A man who raped two women a decade apart has been jailed for more than 13 years.

Marcin Janikowski, 39, raped his first victim in 2014, but was unable to be charged at the time. Last year he raped a second victim and using evidence from both cases was charged with two counts of rape.

One of the women said: "He stole my hopes, my dreams, my future and every day was filled with fear, sadness and made no sense."

Janikowski, of no fixed above but previously from Hilperton, in Wiltshire, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday to 13 years and six months in prison.

Janikowski initially admitted raping the second woman last year, although later made an initial attempt to change his plea, Wiltshire Police said.

He denied raping another woman in an incident 10 years previously, but following a trial in July was found guilty by the jury.

Janikowski was told that as well as the prison sentence, he will serve the following three years on licence.

His victim said: "No amount of justice will ever undo the damage that he has caused to me, my family and so many others."

'Painful journey'

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con James Gatherum, from Wiltshire Police CID, said Janikowski had subjected his first victim to a "traumatic ordeal".

He added that while there had been "insufficient evidence" to proceed with charges against him at the time, evidence was retained in case further information came to light.

"In January 2024, Wiltshire Police received a report of rape and assault from another victim," he said.

"A new investigation was launched, leading to his arrest and charges of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

"Following this, the earlier case from 2014 was reviewed, and the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges based on the new evidence."

He went on the acknowledge the bravery of the witnesses who came forward.

"I am acutely aware of the personal impact this has had on their lives," he said.

"Today marks the end of a long and painful journey for both victims."