Man jailed and two teenagers given referral orders after Peterborough violence

Police were called out to Welland Road at about 10.35am on May 21 2020 following reports that a number of people had been assaulted and weapons had been used.

A 14-year-old boy, a 35-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man were injured and required hospital treatment.

Dariusz Rzenski, 34, was arrested later the same afternoon, along with two teenagers who were both 14 at the time. For legal reasons, the boys cannot be named.

It was reported Rzenski and the one of the boys who is now 15, used a claw hammer and a baton to assault the two adults, as well as firing pellets from an imitation firearm.

Following their arrest, a search of Rzenski’s home in Lowick Gardens, Westwood, was carried out which found the imitation firearm hidden behind an oven, as well as a claw hammer covered in blood.

Rzenski admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a baton, but denied other charges against him.

Following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court, he was found guilty of two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He appeared at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) where he was sentenced to a total of six years in prison and made subject of a 10-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting either of the victims.

The 15-year-old boy admitted offences of assault causing ABH, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place – namely a claw hammer.

He was sentenced to a 12-month referral order which is the first community sentence given to most first-time young offenders, requiring them to attend a youth offender panel made up of two members of the local community and an advisor from a youth offending team, where they will agree a contract of certain commitments.

The 14-year-old boy admitted assault causing ABH and possession of a knife in a public place. He was sentenced to a 10-month referral order.

DC Jacob Reeves, who investigated, said: “To see two young people get involved with violence and weapons at such a young age is extremely disappointing. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, however this incident caused great concern to the local community.”

Anyone with information or concerns about someone who carries a weapon can report it to us online at https://bit.ly/3vQMz93.