At Leeds Crown Court today Marcin Kasprzak has been found guilty of the attempted murder of Michelina Lewandowska. Patryk Borys was acquitted of attempted murder.  Kasprzak pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and kidnap immediately before the trial started. Borys pleaded guilty to kidnap at an earlier hearing.

Jonathan Sharp, Principal Crown Advocate for Crown Prosecution Service Yorkshire and Humberside said:

“This was a heartless and calculated crime from which Michelina was extremely lucky to escape with her life.

“No-one involved in this prosecution could fail to have been impressed by Michelina’s bravery and determination, and we would like to take this opportunity to pay public tribute to the immense courage she has shown.

“Not only has Michelina survived her unimaginable ordeal, but she has also been determined throughout to see justice done. We were able to put special arrangements in place so that Michelina was able to give her evidence while screened from the defendants, and had the assistance of an interpreter. It is in no small part due to her commitment to this prosecution, including her willingness to give evidence at some length in this trial, that we have been able to bring this case to a successful conclusion.

“The defendant has now been found guilty of attempted murder, and have pleaded guilty to kidnap, and Marcin Kasprzak has pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon. We hope that this is some small comfort to Michelina, and that she may now be able to begin rebuilding her life.”

DCI Lisa Griffin of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: "The victim in this terrifying ordeal demonstrated tremendous bravery and undoubtedly saved her own life by freeing herself from box that Kasprzak had buried her in.

"Now that Kasprzak has been found guilty for attempting to murder her, I hope that this brave woman will be able to move on with her life.

"As soon as we were made aware of this crime, the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team and the Huddersfield CID began a thorough investigation into the circumstances and, assisted by the excellent work of our scenes of crime and forensic officers, were able to prove in court that this matter was no prank, but a serious and determined attempt to end a young mother's life.

"Kasprzak has shown himself to have been an unpleasant intimidator of vulnerable woman and I am pleased that he is now behind bars where he belongs.

"I would like to close by thanking the motorist who went to the victim's aid by stopping for her and helping her to raise the alarm."