June 2023 Paedophile fled to Poland after telling young girl he wanted to see her naked A paedophile fled to Poland after sending sexualised messages to a girl and told her he wanted to see her naked. She contacted the police after the offender had the “audacity” to return to Wales. Mariusz Ratajczak, 46, formerly of Cardiff, swore his young victim to secrecy during the messages, in which he asked her about her underwear. He said: “What pants have you got on, white or black?” A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday heard the defendant went on to ask the victim “Will you show me them?” and “I’ll like to see you naked.” The victim, who has lifelong anonymity, broke into tears and suffered a panic attack upon receiving the messages. After the victim told her family, Rataczak fled to his home country of Poland but returned months later. It was upon the defendant’s return to the UK the victim contacted the police and he was arrested. Rataczak, now of Orchard Park, Trowbridge, denied sending the messages but was found guilty of engaging in sexual communications with a child, following a trial. The court heard he had six previous conviction in Poland, but none of these were related to sexual offences. In a victim personal statement read out to the court, the victim said: “During the incident I was confused, I was stunned and paralysed with my speech and found it difficult to talk….. After the first question I experienced a panic attack… At the time, all I felt was fear. “I remember feeling disgusted at what was happening and I thought it was all my fault. As a girl you get told you’re provocative or leading and I felt ashamed although I didn’t do anything wrong or provoke him to say anything like that. After that I felt traumatised and sensitive for months.” The victim said the offence triggered mental health issues and she attempted to self harm on a number of occasions. She added: “With him out of the country I felt relief and safety but this was short lived as he returned to the UK a few months later. His return added to what was already happening to my mental health and resulted in me contacting the police for help. I was completely shocked he had the audacity to return to Poland and even more so to return to the UK a short time later.” Sentencing, Recorder Joanna Evans said: “You are a medium risk of harm towards children. You still do not accept this offending, have shown no remorse and have taken no steps to address the causes.” Ratajczak was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was made subject to a 24-month community order with a 40 day rehabilitation activity requirement and unpaid work of 120 hours. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and made subject to a restraining order for five years.