A man has been warned he faces a prison sentence for committing a serious physical assault on a child having previously admitted a separate voyeurism offence involving the use of a secret camera.
Thirty-year-old Jacek Kuliga went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week having been charged with assaulting the youngster, causing actual bodily harm.
Kuliga denied being responsible for any offence but was convicted, unanimously, by a jury who heard all evidence in the case.
Recorder Tony Hawks observed that it had been a prolonged and unpleasant assault, which left the child with an injury.
Kuliga was found not guilty, also unanimously, of an alleged sexual assault on the child.
After their verdicts were returned, jurors were told that Kuliga, of Broadoaks Grange, Carlisle, had previously pleaded guilty to an offence of voyeurism. The court heard this crime involved the use of a secret camera.
Recorder Hawks adjourned the case, requesting both the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report giving more detail about the defendant, and also a statement outlining the victim impact of Kuliga’s offending.
“It is a very serious matter,” said the judge of the physical assault. He added of the sentence faced by the defendant: “It is likely, in my judgement, to be immediate custody.”
Kuliga was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at the crown court by Recorder Hawks on June 26.
- After Kuliga had admitted the voyeurism charge during a court hearing last year, a different judge, Recorder Samantha Presland, expressed dismay at the use of modern technology for illegal means. Just because people had mobile phones fitted with cameras, that did not mean they should record private acts, said the judge. “This is total and utter objectification of women,” stated Recorder Presland. “It is a bit exasperating we have this amazing technology and it is used for such base things.”
