Dominik Szymanski, 47, has been jailed for 16 years for the rape and assault of a woman in Swansea, with harrowing CCTV footage showing him dragging her half-naked by her feet and kicking her into a lift moments after the attack.
Victim died after giving evidence
The victim gave evidence during Szymanski's trial and was cross-examined. The following day she was found dead. Her cause of death remains unknown. Her mother said in a statement that she believes Szymanski's actions led her daughter to return to drugs and to her death, stating: "In my eyes, his actions killed my child."
Details of the attack
The court heard that Szymanski met the 'vulnerable' woman in Swansea city centre on September 2, 2025. Both had their dogs with them and they began talking, drinking, and smoking cannabis before going back to his flat. At the flat, he subjected her to violence and raped her during a prolonged incident. CCTV footage from the block of flats shows him dragging the 'stupefied' woman out of the flat and 'hurling' her into a lift. The woman believed she had been spiked, but samples were not taken in time for tests.
Szymanski kept the woman's dog and arranged to sell it in the days after the attack.
Trial and sentence
Szymanski denied rape and assault, claiming no sexual activity took place as he was incapable of maintaining an erection. However, after a 10-day trial at Swansea Crown Court, a jury convicted him of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He also pleaded guilty to theft one week into the trial.
He was sentenced as a dangerous offender to an extended 16-year sentence: 12 years in custody followed by a four-year licence period. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial term before he can apply for release, with the Parole Board determining his safety for release. He will be a registered sex offender for life.
Previous convictions
The court heard Szymanski has previous convictions for battery and criminal damage, including an assault on a former partner where he pushed her down steps after begging her to take him back, and a battery and assault on a police officer where he repeatedly kicked a man on the ground and pushed the arresting constable.
Police statement
South Wales Police Detective Constable Claire Davies said: 'This was a prolonged and significant attack enacted by a truly despicable offender against a vulnerable woman who had little means of defending herself. Dominik Szymanski carried out this heinous offence and then put the victim's family through the ordeal of the trial, when he knew from the start that he was guilty. In interview, Szymanski acted incredulous as to the accusations made against him – but the CCTV evidence was damning. He thought that he was untouchable – but the jury saw through his lies.'
