PERTH SHERIFF COURT JAILS SEX OFFENDER FOR STALKING AND HARASSMENT
A serial sex pest has admitted stalking three women working in Perth city centre.Sleazy Dariusz Baranowski left his victims “extremely distressed” and “absolutely terrified” with a series of unwanted approaches, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
The 42-year-old made sexual remarks to community wardens and told one: “I haven’t had a sh*g in five or six weeks.” He also frightened a city pub worker by hanging around her workplace at strange times of the day and later approached her four-year-old granddaughter in the street.
Baranowski pled guilty to three charges of stalking, as well as a charge of communicating indecently and assault.
He was placed on the sex offenders register and will be sentenced next month.
The court heard Baranowski targeted his first victim between July 1 and 22 last year.
Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson, prosecuting, said the 30-year-old woman was working in the city centre as a liaison between members of the public, the police and the local authority.
The court heard that around July 1, Baranowski approached her and asked her out on a date.
A few days later, he approached her again, appearing intoxicated and trying to dance with her, which made her embarrassed and nervous.
On July 22, while she was working in South Street, he told her: “Can you help me?
I’ve not had a sh*g in five or six weeks.” She reported this immediately.
His second victim, also a council worker, was targeted between July 22 and 29.
He made her uncomfortable with comments like “You’re very attractive” and asked about her co-worker.
He approached her again later, trying to engage her despite being told to leave her alone.
He also pursued another woman out with her sister, getting close and making inappropriate comments, which left her “extremely scared” and “intimidated”.
He also preyed on a homeless hostel worker, stating “I’m scared to sit close to you in case I kiss you,” and on a pub worker, lingering outside at odd times despite being barred.
Most disturbingly, Baranowski approached a woman with her four-year-old granddaughter, telling the child: “I have got something for you,” which terrified the woman.
He also assaulted a man outside a Turkish barbershop by trying to hit him with a bottle, requiring intervention.
Sheriff William Wood placed Baranowski, of Perth, on the sex offenders register and deferred sentence for background reports.
The court may impose non-harassment orders on his victims next time.
