By Tony O’Reilly-
A young man who tried to sexually assault a woman walking home from a night out in Belfast has been handed a 14-month sentence today.
Mateusz Psujek — who is deemed as posing “a risk to vulnerable single females” — will spend an additional period of 18 months on licence when he is released from jail.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
The 32-year-old Polish national, of Albertbridge Road in Belfast, admitted approaching a woman in the east of the city in October 2022 and attempting to sexually assault her.
Following his arrest, Psujek confessed to a history of walking around Belfast in the early hours.
It also emerged that in September 2019 he was convicted by a court in London of stalking a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Belfast Crown Court heard that around 1am on October 21, 2022, the injured party had been on a night out and was walking home when she was approached by Psujek on the Ravenhill Road.
He struck up a conversation with her and after crossing the road, Psujek grabbed her by the wrist and began pulling her.
She panicked but Psujek proceeded to put his hands around her arm and neck, then her waist.
Resisting his actions, the woman struggled with Psujek and tried to get away — and at this point, he pulled at her skirt, lifted it up and repeatedly said to her: “I know you want it.”
She managed to run onto the road and two cars stopped. She asked the motorists for help and Psujek was detained at the scene.
When police arrived, Psujek was arrested and his backpack was searched. Located in the bag were three large knives, a pair of scissors and a screwdriver.
Judge Mark Reel said that whilst Psujek was charged with two counts of possessing the items in a public place, there was “no suggestion they were used as part of the attempted sexual assault offence.”
During an interview with police following his arrest, Psujek claimed the only reason he put his hands on the woman was to prevent her from falling onto the road.
Whilst accepting he found the woman attractive, he denied sexually assaulting her and claimed he tried to hug her but that it had “gone sideways”.
He told police: “I saw an attractive woman. It’s not a crime. I mean, it’s worth a go.”
When asked about the items found in his backpack, Psujek said the screwdriver was a work tool, the scissors belonged to his mother and he had found the knives and forgot to take them out of his bag.
Despite his initial denials, Psujek admitted charges of attempted sexual assault and to possessing the knives, screwdriver and scissors.
He subsequently told a probation officer he frequently walked around the streets at night and that admission resulted in probation concluding Psujek embarked on nightly walks in pursuit of sexual encounters.
Probation also deemed Psujek as displaying no empathy towards his victim and with a lack of understanding about how his actions made her feel and the impact this has had on her.
Judge Reel said that after reading a statement from the victim, it was clear “she has suffered significant psychological harm.”
The judge told him his offending was so serious that it warranted a custodial sentence.
He handed Psujek a 14-month sentence with an extended period of 18 months on licence imposed.
A five-year restraining order which bans Psujek from contacting the victim was also imposed, as was a five-year sexual offences prevention order.
In addition, Psujek will be on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar