Thursday July 7, 2022
A Huddersfield man who sexually assaulted a woman in a town centre street has been jailed for 18 years and must serve 12 years in prison.
Mario Sztojka (26) of Meltham Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today for the rape of a woman on Lower Viaduct Street in the early hours of May 26, 2021.
He was given a 12 year sentence with an extra six years on extended licence.
The 26-year old had been found guilty of two counts of rape at Leeds Crown Court following a four-day trial in May.
The attack on the lone victim sparked a major investigation by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team who identified the 26-year-old as a suspect in the days after the attack.
A number of enquiries were then made to locate him over the following months including a police wanted appeal and a further appeal via Crimestoppers.
Continued enquiries led to the net closing on Sztojka who was eventually arrested in December 2021 and swiftly charged.
DCI Marc Bowes of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who led the investigation, said: “Mario Sztojka is a dangerous and predatory sex offender and I welcome his conviction and sentencing.
“He did everything he could to evade justice for the serious sexual assault he inflicted on his victim and was caught following persistent, methodical police work which allowed us to eventually hunt him down.
“Despite strong evidence against him, he chose to put his victim through the ordeal of a trial and this has been reflected in the sentence imposed on him.
“I hope his victim can take some comfort from seeing him now behind bars and brought to justice for his actions against her.”
He added: “All reports of sexual assault are treated extremely seriously by West Yorkshire Police and we always encourage victims to come forwards.
“As this case demonstrates, we will do all we can to achieve justice for victims, and fully investigate all reports made.”