A self-styled mobster who left a man with a broken collar bone when he refused to pay him ‘protection’ money was jailed last week.
Pawel Konowalski, 30, of Ing Lane, Rochdale, was handed a ten-year sentence on Thursday after breaking into a 36-year-old man’s home and attacking him in a desperate attempt to extort money.
In the months leading up to the assault, Konowalski had called and texted the victim, who had received compensation from an accident at work, offering ‘protection’ for cash.
When the victim continually refused the offer Konowalski went to his home on May 11 and assaulted him, with the victim suffering a broken collar bone and severe bruising.
Detective Constable Hannah Greetham said: “The irony is that while the victim was being offered ‘protection’ services in exchange for cash, it was only Konowalski himself who the victim needed protection from and that service was given to him free of charge by the police.
“I must give credit to him for standing up to Konowalski and helping the police and criminal justice system secure this conviction. The severity of this offence is reflected in the sentence handed down.”
Konowalski was jailed on Thursday at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.
“We will not tolerate for this kind of criminality where threats, intimidation and violence is used to instil fear within a community and rob innocent and hardworking residents and businessmen of their cash,” Detective Constable Greetham added.
“If you or anyone you know is suffering from such a crime I would encourage you to come forward and report it immediately.”
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