Dariusz Matejewicz, a 39-year-old man described as "violent and depraved," has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a series of violent and sexual offences against four women and a child. The offences occurred between 2007 and 2022 in Inverness, Aviemore, Dingwall, and Glenrothes, Scotland.
Details of the Crimes
Matejewicz, originally from Poland, moved to Scotland at age 19 to work in hospitality. He raped four former partners, three of them multiple times, and assaulted a baby aged between three and six months on several occasions. In 2008, he forced a fabric ball into the baby's mouth, obstructing her airway, threatened to throw her against a wall, and dropped a pram she was in, endangering her life.
One victim described experiencing "the worst pain she’d ever experienced." Matejewicz held a knife to her neck, kicked her in the head, and held her hand over a hot cooker. He threatened to kill her if she left and subjected her to repeated rapes and sexual assaults between May 2007 and September 2008.
Further Attacks
A second woman was raped in Glenrothes on October 5, 2011, while she was asleep. Matejewicz continued the assault after she woke. A third woman suffered abuse between October 2013 and June 2014 in Dingwall and elsewhere. He repeatedly struck her head and body, kicked her, ripped hair from her head, and threatened her family. He raped her at a hotel in Dingwall in June 2014.
In the summer of 2021, Matejewicz repeatedly raped another woman and threatened her with a knife.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Matejewicz was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling on Tuesday. Judge Lord Stuart stated his actions "constituted a very significant body of offending." The sentence includes 18 years in custody followed by seven years under community supervision, with the possibility of return to prison if he reoffends. A non-harassment order was also issued.
Detective Inspector Gordon Patullo said: "I hope this sentence brings some comfort to the women and child who were affected by his actions. Matejewicz has now been held accountable and will face the consequences of his abhorrent actions."
Matejewicz denied all charges during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh but was convicted of 12 offences, including five counts of rape, assault to danger of life, assault, indecent assault, and stalking. He was found guilty on Tuesday, April 28.
Patullo added: "The women and child affected by actions have suffered deeply, and I hope this sentence provides them with some measure of comfort. His conviction is as a direct result of their strength in coming forward."
