ANDRZEJ GUZDRAJ BRUTAL RAPE IN RUGBY: VULNERABLE TEENAGER TARGETED IN TOWN CENTRE

In May 2018, a disturbing case of sexual assault and abduction unfolded in Rugby, involving Andrzej Guzdraj, a man who preyed on a vulnerable young woman with a mental age of approximately 12 years. Guzdraj, who was 32 years old at the time, was ultimately convicted and sentenced for his heinous actions, which took place in the town centre of Rugby.

According to court proceedings, Guzdraj had only recently encountered the victim, an 18-year-old girl suffering from a mental disorder that significantly impaired her understanding and decision-making capacity. The prosecution revealed that her academic age was comparable to that of a 12-year-old, making her highly susceptible to manipulation and exploitation. Her condition was evident to anyone who met her, as she was naive and inclined to respond affirmatively to questions without fully grasping the implications.

The incident began around 8:45 am outside the Asda supermarket in Rugby. CCTV footage played a crucial role in reconstructing the events, showing Guzdraj approaching the girl from opposite directions and initiating a brief conversation. During this encounter, he propositioned her with an offer of sex, a proposition she had never encountered before. The defendant later admitted to police that he had made this proposition, recognizing her vulnerability immediately.

After the initial interaction, the girl entered the store, while Guzdraj returned to his previous location. However, he soon turned back and approached her again outside the store. Despite her telling him she was not interested, Guzdraj persisted, asking her to follow him. He claimed to have a place with a sofa and coffee table, but this turned out to be a dilapidated shelter behind an abandoned building. Throughout this walk, Guzdraj asked her if she was scared, to which she responded affirmatively.

During their walk, Guzdraj coerced her into touching him, instructing her to put her hand down his trousers. She complied out of fear and confusion. When Guzdraj left her momentarily to buy beer and condoms, she seized the opportunity to escape, returning to the town centre. However, Guzdraj did not give up; CCTV footage showed him searching for her for over half an hour before eventually locating her at a bus stop.

He then led her away from the town centre, across a car park, to the squalid shelter. During this time, he gave her a tablet, which she described as tasting like medicine. Guzdraj claimed it was a Tic-tac, but forensic analysis confirmed it was an ecstasy tablet. Inside the shelter, which was furnished with a broken pallet and a polystyrene block, the effects of the drug took hold. Guzdraj then encouraged her to drink beer and try cannabis, which made her sick.

It was at this point that Guzdraj sexually assaulted her. She initially objected, saying, “This isn’t right,” but eventually succumbed to his pressure. He raped her and afterward apologized, asking her to promise not to tell anyone. The court questioned the logic behind his apology and her promise, given his guilt and the nature of his actions.

Following the assault, the victim sought help at a local coffee bar, requesting a Town Ranger to call authorities. Guzdraj maintained in court that he was unaware of her learning disability and claimed she had gone with him willingly. However, the evidence, including CCTV footage, painted a different picture. Judge Sally Hancox condemned Guzdraj’s actions, emphasizing that his movements showed he was actively hunting for her after she initially tried to escape. The judge highlighted that Guzdraj’s persistent attention and the drugging of the victim demonstrated premeditation and exploitation.

Guzdraj was convicted of rape and supplying her with class A drugs. He was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison—16 years for the rape and an additional two years for drug supply. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Judge Hancox described his conduct as amounting to abduction, noting that the episode took place over a significant period and that Guzdraj clearly recognized her vulnerability and targeted her deliberately. The court condemned his lack of remorse and failure to show any contrition for his actions.