Man jailed for online sexual offences against children

A man has been jailed for a catalogue of offences relating to sexual messages and indecent images involving children.

Adrian Augustyniak, 25, from York, thought he was messaging a 12-year-old girl – and sent ‘her’ disgusting messages and images via an app from August 2022 onwards.

But the profile he had been messaging wasn’t a real girl. The information was passed to North Yorkshire Police, and officers went to his home address. He was arrested, and a number of electronic devices were seized.

On those devices were indecent images and videos of children – some aged as young as three – as well as a so-called ‘paedophile manual’ document.

Augustyniak was charged with making indecent photographs of children, possessing prohibited images of children, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity, publishing obscene articles, and possessing a paedophile manual.

On 23 September 2024 he pleaded guilty.

At York Crown Court on 6 December 2024, he was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. He will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) indefinitely, and added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

DC Melanie Gladwell, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “The investigation uncovered damning evidence of Augustyniak’s disturbing online activities. He had no regard for the welfare of children – his sole concern was his own sexual gratification.

 “This case should send a clear message that we will track down anyone involved in downloading indecent images of children, or attempting to engage children in sexual communication online. Such offenders should expect to be brought to justice.”