A MAN who sexually touched a child and secretly took indecent images of her using a hidden camera has been jailed and recommended for deportation.
Adrian Markiewicz was locked up for six years yesterday by the Royal Court’s Superior Number, which convenes for the most serious cases.
The court heard that a complaint was made to the States police about the 39-year-old’s behaviour in December 2021.
Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam said Markiewicz was arrested and interviewed by the police for unlawful sexual touching of a child, and causing or inciting a sexual act with a child.
Six charges relating to the indecent images of the girl – comprising 18 pictures and three videos – followed later after his devices had been searched.
Markiewicz subsequently pleaded guilty to all eight charges.
Advocate Hallam said that Markiewicz had sent WhatsApp messages to an acquaintance in which he mentioned using hidden cameras, referred to himself and his acquaintance as ‘the Polish paedos’ and discussed meeting outside a school.
Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said: ‘The feelings of disgust and repulsion felt by the public are shared by the defendant – he struggles to reconcile his actions.
‘The defendant was caught up in a toxic male work environment and his rather unsavoury comments were a reflection of the pernicious effects of pornography and the way he was using it as an inappropriate coping mechanism.’
Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae, presiding, said the charges represented ‘an appalling catalogue’ of abuse, telling Markiewicz: ‘Children are entitled to be protected from people like you, and people like you need to be deterred from acting in this way.’
Markiewicz was given concurrent sentences of four years for the sexual act charge and two-and-a-half years for the sexual touching, meaning he will serve the longer of the two sentences.
Two years’ imprisonment for the most serious sexual image charge was imposed as a consecutive sentence, making a total of six years.
Mr MacRae said the panel recommended that, on his release from prison, Markiewicz should be deported to Poland, with the final decision at that time resting with the Home Affairs Minister.
The Deputy Bailiff was sitting with Jurats Robert Christensen, Michael Entwhistle, Rozanne Thomas, Pamela Pitman and Jerry Ramsden.
Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Sian Dupré, from the Public Protection Unit, said: ‘Police are thankful for the courage shown by the victim in reporting this to police and throughout the investigation. Any form of abuse against children will not be tolerated and the States of Jersey Police are committed to target[ing] those who offend in this way.’
A police spokesperson said anyone with concerns about suspected child sexual abuse or exploitation should contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 519000, or the Public Protection Unit on 612612. The Sexual Assault Referral Centre can be contacted on 888222.
