Love triangle slash attack

Published on 19th April 2007 in News

Jaroslaw Baran leaving court.

A GOOLE immigrant slashed a Polish man he found was sleeping with his ex-girlfriend in a violent love triangle.

Polish-born Marjusz Blazejowski was in bed with his girlfriend in Goole when he awoke from sleep at 4am to find blows being rained down. At one point he was confronted with his own smashed picture and told he was going to die.

He thought he was having a terrible nightmare, only to gain consciousness to find Jaroslaw Baran (26) shouting at him and threatening to kill him, Hull Crown Court heard on Monday.

Mr Blazejowski was punched, kicked in the head and body and Mr Baran stamped on his head while in the bed with his girlfriend.

Prosecutor Charlotte Baines, said Mr Baran's ex-girlfriend tried to get between the pair and a scared Mrs Blazejowski, of Hook Road, fled to the bathroom where he locked himself in to escape the attack.

Mr Baran then kicked down the bathroom door to find his victim cowering in the corner. Mr Baran had a broken picture of the complainant and pointed to it, saying he was going to kill him.

With a shard of glass he cut Mr Blazejowski's right arm and put a long vertical cut on his body. Mr Blazejowski needed 15 stitches to cuts on different parts of his body.

He also had bruising to the right eye, a bruise on his forehead, a 20-30cm cut and a bite mark on his back.

Mr Blazejowski was concerned for his own safety, according to a victim impact report. Pictures of his injuries were shown to the judge.

Mr Baran, originally from Poland but now of Jefferson Street in Goole, had earlier pleaded guilty to assault; he appeared at court for sentencing.

When interviewed by police Mr Baran said he had gone to see his ex-girlfriend and found the couple in bed.

Defending barrister John Thackray said Mr Baran had felt the relationship was important to him and the woman had given him signals that it was important to her.

"The situation came to a head when he went around," said Mr Thackray. "He accepts the appropriate sentence passes the custodial threshold. Having said that, he has pleaded guilty.

"He came to this country with the intention to find work and not to get into trouble. This was not his behaviour in Poland and that was not what he had hoped for here."

He said while Mr Baran was working he could help pay compensation; jailing him would not help.

Mr Baran was ashamed and in his limited English said what he did was wrong.

Passing a 12-month suspended prison sentence, Recorder Kate Buckingham ordered Mr Baran to stand as she told him. "You behaved in an unpredictable way. The assault was serious. You kicked and punched the complainant, bruised his eye and his forehead. You threatened him with a shard of glass.

"The assault was sustained in that you followed him and broke into the bathroom. There is no doubt this passes the custody threshold."

Mr Baran was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay £500 in compensation to his victim. He was allowed to walk free from the court, accompanied by a female friend.