DAMIAN LASOTA AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSIVE SPREE IN SOMERSET
A disturbed individual accused of heinous sexual offenses targeting elderly women in the Somerset area has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.Damian Lasota, aged 27, of Parry Close in Southdown, Bath, was convicted of attempting to assault an elderly woman in her own home and engaging in predatory sexual behaviors against another vulnerable female resident.
The severity of Lasota’s crimes and the frightening nature of his actions led a judge to describe him as “the stuff of nightmares,” emphasizing the threat he posed to lone women, particularly in the Twerton neighborhood of Bath.
His reign of terror came to an abrupt halt when law enforcement authorities installed surveillance cameras at the victims’ residences, which ultimately captured him in the act and facilitated his arrest.
Lasota appeared at Bristol Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted rape, two counts of trespass with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and two counts of exposure.
During the court proceedings, he was seen in custody with a grey jumper draped over his head, indicating his attempt to obscure his identity.
The presiding judge, Julian Lambert, sentenced Lasota to a total of 20 years in prison.
This sentence was composed of an immediate prison term of 13 and a half years, followed by an extended license period lasting six and a half years.
The court stipulation requires that Lasota serve at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence before he becomes eligible for parole consideration.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Lambert made it clear how dangerous Lasota’s actions were, stating, “You are a predatory sex offender who is the stuff of nightmares.
You were a masked prowler, stalking women at dead of night.
You are proved to have attacked an older lady who was highly vulnerable.
You then continued looking for opportunities to offend further.
Your intention was to subdue and then rape women in their own homes at night.
To say you have a deeply disturbed sexual psychology is an understatement.” As part of his sentence, Lasota was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was also prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults, recognizing the potential ongoing risk he poses to society.
The case was built on police investigations that revealed a concerning pattern of incidents in the Bath area.
Prosecutor James Haskell recounted that in the previous year, law enforcement received approximately 40 reports of a man exposing himself to women in Twerton.
Following Lasota’s arrest, there were no additional reports of similar incidents, indicating the effectiveness of police intervention.
One of the most troubling episodes involved Lasota entering the residence of a 73-year-old woman who was considered highly vulnerable.
The court heard that Lasota followed her into her bedroom after gaining access to her home.
There, he pulled down his trousers and claimed he did not intend to hurt her before attempting to engage her in a sexual act—a plea she refused.
During this terrifying encounter, he reportedly said to her, “I like older women,” while exposing himself before fleeing the scene.
In response to this incident, the elderly woman’s home was fitted with enhanced security features, including surveillance cameras.
These cameras later captured Lasota returning to her property during the early hours, specifically around 1 a.m., and prowling in her backyard.
Additionally, Lasota was responsible for targeting another woman aged 65, who was also in her home during the early morning hours.
CCTV footage obtained from the area showed him exposing himself to her, raising alarms about his predatory behavior.
Law enforcement officers, who were patrolling the vicinity in plain clothes, observed a male suspect acting suspiciously near the victim’s residence.
According to the police, they saw Lasota shining a light towards her property, and upon realizing he had been seen, he attempted to flee.
Officers quickly pursued him and arrested him at the scene.
This series of distressing incidents has left the local community shaken, but the swift and decisive action of police has resulted in Lasota’s incarceration and a significant legal consequence for his actions.
His case underscores the importance of community safety measures such as surveillance upgrades and vigilant police patrols in combating and preventing such predatory crimes in Somerset.
