ADAM ROBAKOWSKI FROM SHEFFIELD SENTENCED FOR STRANGER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN NEWQUAY
In October 2019, a man named Adam Robakowski, aged 31 and hailing from Sheffield, was sentenced for a brutal sexual assault that took place on the streets of Newquay, Cornwall.The incident, which shocked the local community, involved Robakowski targeting an unsuspecting woman during the early hours of a summer morning, leaving her profoundly affected and raising serious concerns about public safety.
Robakowski's attack occurred in June 2016, when he was visiting Cornwall with his then-girlfriend.
According to court proceedings, he left their hotel, the Esplanade Hotel in Newquay, between 5am and 6am after his partner declined his advances for intimacy.
His subsequent actions revealed a disturbing pattern; despite claiming to police that he had gone out merely to buy cigarettes or for fresh air, evidence showed that he had been in contact with local sex workers prior to leaving the hotel.
During the trial, it was revealed that Robakowski had been stalking a woman walking home from a night out.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons and was in her early twenties at the time, was targeted by Robakowski, who then carried out a terrifying assault.
CCTV footage showed Robakowski leaving and returning to the hotel before and after the attack, and he was also seen driving a black Audi, similar to the vehicle described by the victim.
The victim also recalled seeing keys to the Audi, which linked him directly to the scene.
The court heard from the victim in a personal statement, describing the profound and lasting impact the assault had on her mental health.
She explained that she now experiences heightened anxiety, paranoia, and mistrust towards men.
She described feeling jumpy and flinching at everyday stimuli, and revealed that she suffers from psychosis, depression, and anxiety, conditions she did not have before the attack.
Her statement detailed how her life has changed dramatically, including quitting her job because she felt unable to cope with daily responsibilities.
The victim expressed her feelings of loneliness and vulnerability, emphasizing the long-term psychological scars left by the assault.
Judge Simon Carr, presiding over the case, addressed Robakowski during sentencing.
He acknowledged that Robakowski was visiting Cornwall with his then-girlfriend and had been celebrating that evening.
The judge noted that Robakowski's reaction to his partner’s refusal of further intimacy was chilling, especially considering his prior attempts to contact sex workers before leaving the hotel.
The judge pointed out that Robakowski’s actions between 5am and 6am, despite being intoxicated, were clearly motivated by sexual intent, not simply seeking cigarettes or fresh air.
Further evidence presented in court indicated that Robakowski had been stalking the victim, following her route home and parking his car at a junction for no apparent reason.
The victim, sensing danger, took out her keys as a weapon and managed to run inside her home.
However, Robakowski did not cease his pursuit.
He resumed contact with sex workers and only abandoned his efforts when he encountered the victim walking home after her night out.
Disguised with a hooded top, Robakowski approached her in an isolated area, where he carried out a persistent and violent assault.
The attack involved him forcing his fingers into her vagina, and despite her resistance, he continued his assault until her keys and phone fell out of his pocket, providing a crucial opportunity for her to escape.
Robakowski returned to his hotel room, acting as if nothing had happened.
The victim’s account highlighted the devastating effects of the attack, which included severe psychological trauma.
The court recognized that stranger sexual assaults of this nature are exceedingly rare but pose a significant threat due to the dangerousness of the offender.
Robakowski continued to deny and minimize his actions, which the court viewed as indicative of a high risk of future sexual violence.
In light of the evidence and the severity of the crime, Judge Carr sentenced Robakowski to an extended term of 14 years in prison.
This sentence requires him to serve a minimum of nine years before being eligible for parole, with release contingent upon the parole board’s assessment of whether he no longer poses a danger to the public.
The case underscores the ongoing concerns about sexual violence and the importance of holding offenders accountable to protect potential victims in the future.
