BARTOSZ ZACZEK SENTENCED FOR DISTURBING ONLINE PREDATION IN LANCASHIRE
A man from Lancashire, Bartosz Zaczek, has been sentenced to over four years in prison after an undercover police operation uncovered his attempts to engage in illegal and predatory behavior involving minors.Zaczek, aged 23 and residing in St Annes, Lancashire, believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl through a series of sexually explicit messages and photographs.
These communications, which spanned more than a month, were described in court as both distressing and disturbing.
During the exchanges, Zaczek not only sent explicit content but also encouraged the supposed girl to involve her 12-year-old cousin in meeting him.
The investigation revealed that Zaczek had planned to meet the girl in Blackburn, Lancashire, despite initially claiming to his employer that he was running an errand.
In reality, he traveled to the Blackburn location with the intent to meet the minor, unaware that police officers were already waiting for him at the scene.
His arrival was met with immediate arrest by law enforcement officers last May.
The case was brought before Preston Crown Court, where Zaczek pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
These included attempting to facilitate a child sex offence and inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard that Zaczek's actions demonstrated a clear danger to young girls, prompting the judge to impose a substantial sentence of four years and two months in prison.
In addition to his incarceration, Zaczek was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his contact with minors and monitors his activities.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and to have his mobile phone destroyed, preventing him from using electronic devices to facilitate further illegal conduct.
Detective Constable Nicola Long of Lancashire Police commented on the case, emphasizing the importance of undercover operations in safeguarding the community.
She stated, "The chat transcript makes for some distressing and disturbing reading so I am satisfied with the sentence Zaczek has been given, which reflects the danger he presents to teenage girls." Det.
Con.
Long further encouraged the public to remain vigilant and to report any concerns about individuals they suspect may pose a threat.
She added, "The public may not see the undercover work that goes on, but it is always going on.
If anybody has concerns about an individual, I would always encourage them to contact the police in the first instance."
