Man sentenced for upskirting girl at Metro station

Lukasz Gajowski was caught taking pictures of a school girl at Gateshead Metro station

A man who took photos up a school girl's skirt has been given a suspended prison sentence.

The girl was unaware Lukasz Gajowski, 39, was taking pictures of her, but he was spotted and reported by a woman waiting for a train at Gateshead Metro station, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Indecent images of children as young as four, including some in the most serious category, were found on his phone.

Gajowski, who admitted voyeurism and three counts of making indecent images of children, was jailed for a year but that was suspended for two years, due in part to the near four-year delay of the case getting to court.

A commuter saw Gajowski "lunging" behind the girl with his arm outstretched towards the bottom of her skirt at a station on 3 December 2020, prosecutor Amber Walker said.

The girl was estimated to be about 14 years old, the court heard.

Recognised by colleague

The woman made eye contact with Gajowski, which caused him to "quickly move away", the court heard.

She reported it to police and CCTV from the station was obtained, with a public appeal made to identify Gajowski.

A colleague of his recognised Gajowski and contacted police, Ms Walker said.

Gajowski, of Brinkburn Avenue in Bensham, Gateshead, made no comment in his police interview but a search of his phone found multiple indecent images of children, including 21 pictures and videos in the most serious category.

The court heard the case had been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and a backlog in police digital forensic services, with Ms Walker apologising on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

'Horrific abuse'

Judge Julie Clemitson praised the "quick-thinking" woman who spotted and reported Gajowski.

She said Gajwoski's actions had been "brazen" and such behaviour could make girls feel "very distressed" and "anxious and worried about travelling on public transport".

Judge Clemitson said Gajowski had engaged in chat rooms with paedophiles and amassed a collection which showed he had a sexual interest in children.

"Each of those images and videos shows a real child being horrifically abused in order to satisfy the desires of people like you," the judge said, adding anyone who viewed or downloaded the images was "promoting" and "encouraging the abuse of children".

Judge Clemtison said due to overcrowding in prison, the short period he would actually serve and the "unjustifiable" and "unconscionable" delay" in the case getting to court, Gajowski's jail term would be suspended.

He will have to work with the probation service and must complete 100 hours unpaid work, the judge said.

A sexual harm prevention order limiting his use of internet-enabled devices was made for 10 years.