Mateusz J. sentenced to life imprisonment for holding his captive in a cell and abusing her for four years, 2020-2024.
Court Verdict
According to reports, the District Court in Legnica sentenced Mateusz J. to life imprisonment for imprisoning his partner for four years (2020-2024) and subjecting her to particularly cruel abuse.
Detailed Abuse
The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Legnica detailed how “He deprived the victim of freedom in a manner combined with particular torment, helpless due to her then mental state, by, against her will, keeping her in a locked utility room without a window and without access to natural daylight, heating, water, or toilet, which was located on his private family property, limiting the victim’s access to other rooms, water, toilet, hygiene products, and regulating access to food and beverages according to his own preferences.”
Victim’s Ordeal
In 2020, the woman gave birth to a child who was placed for adoption, after which she returned to the cell. Three years later, the woman was hospitalized due to injuries but did not reveal her situation to staff. She only told doctors about her ordeal a year later during another hospital stay.
Family and Neighbors
According to the mother of Mateusz J. in an interview with “Gazeta Wyborcza,” the parents were unaware of the situation: “It’s really hard for any of us to believe. He didn’t seem like someone who could hurt anyone. He’s a good boy. There were no problems with him at home, but outside of home, I don’t know.”
Neighbors described Mateusz J. as a “weirdo” who inspired fear. “He caused fear. He would stand in front of a person and start staring at them. He didn’t say anything, just stood there. A person would turn around and walk away,” said one woman in an interview.
