Ipswich paedophile jailed for 40 months over sexual communication with 14-year-old decoy

Why it matters: Police say Damian Sadowski's conduct was "predatory" and demonstrates a "real threat to children", with officers warning that he could have caused serious harm had he been communicating with an actual child.

The details: Sadowski, of Yeoman Close in Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 1 May, where he was sentenced to a total of 40 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to:

• Attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

What happened: On 2 March 2025, Sadowski directly messaged a Facebook account belonging to a girl he did not know. The account was a decoy and the girl did not exist.

• Within the first four messages, the "girl" told Sadowski she was 14 years old. He responded that he was "much older" at 37.
• Sadowski provided his phone number and moved the conversation to WhatsApp, where the exchange quickly became sexual, and he sent an explicit image.
• He also offered to pay for the "girl's" train ticket to meet the following day but told her not to tell anyone.

The conversation was reported to police. Sadowski was arrested on 10 April and later charged on 29 December 2025.

What's next: In addition to his prison sentence, the court ordered the destruction of Sadowski's mobile phone and made him subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

What they're saying: PC Ameerah Ibrahim, the officer in charge of the case, said: "Although there was no direct victim, Sadowski's attempts to engage in sexual activity with a child online was predatory and for his own sexual gratification.

"He has shown that he poses a real threat to children, and it is very fortunate that this wasn't a real child involved in conversation.

"We are committed to bringing to justice those who engage in these crimes."

The bottom line: A decoy account stopped Sadowski from reaching a real child, and his guilty plea has secured a 40-month prison term and lifelong restrictions on his future conduct.

For advice on staying safe online, visit the Suffolk Constabulary website.

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