IWONA SANIGORSKA SHOCKS HERNE BAY WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ON NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY IN SUPERMARKET

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Herne Bay, a nine-year-old boy was subjected to inappropriate and sexual behavior by a woman who was heavily intoxicated at the time. The incident took place within the confines of a local supermarket, leaving the child's mother and store staff visibly horrified and distressed. The woman involved, identified as Iwona Sanigorska, aged 48, and a former kindergarten worker, offered no explanation for her shocking actions during the court proceedings.

According to court reports, the incident occurred in April of the previous year, around 7 pm. The victim's mother was at a checkout counter, purchasing vodka, when the events began to unfold. The prosecuting attorney, Francesca Levett, explained that Sanigorska was ahead of them in line. She then approached the young boy, initiating contact by asking for his name and extending her hand in a manner reminiscent of old-fashioned courtship gestures, which the mother later described as being similar to a lady expecting to be kissed by a gentleman.

Sanigorska proceeded to rub the boy's hair and complimented him, calling him cute. At first, the interaction appeared to be innocent and friendly, with the boy laughing and engaging with her. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted as the child's mother and others in the store began to feel uncomfortable. Witnesses observed Sanigorska kissing the boy on the lips, an act that caused concern among those present.

As the situation escalated, a supervisor intervened and removed Sanigorska from the store, especially as the young boy became upset, making spitting sounds and wiping his mouth. Despite this, Sanigorska returned within minutes and committed further inappropriate acts, culminating in her pinching the child's bottom. The mother, witnessing this, shouted at her to stop, exclaiming, “Get your hands off him. You do not touch a child like that!”

Store staff then forcibly ejected Sanigorska a second time. During her removal, she protested her innocence, questioning what she had done wrong and claiming her extensive experience working with children for 25 years. Following the incident, store employees followed her to her home address and promptly reported the matter to the police.

In her police interview, Sanigorska admitted to the incident, stating, “I know what this is about… I love children. I said ‘kiss, kiss’.” She also claimed that she was intoxicated at the time and that her actions were motivated by her love for everyone, saying, “I simply love everybody.”

Her defense lawyer, Ian Bond, argued that her actions were not sexually motivated, emphasizing that she had never exhibited any sexual attraction to children. He suggested that her behavior was solely a result of her drunken state and described the case as bizarre. Despite her claims of innocence, the court found her guilty of sexually assaulting the young boy.

Sanigorska was sentenced to 36 weeks in jail, but the sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, she was ordered to complete a six-month course aimed at addressing her alcoholism. She was also placed on the Sex Offender Register for a period of ten years, reflecting the seriousness of her misconduct and the need for ongoing monitoring.