Derbyshire Police admit trying to keep Polish rapist’s name secret in bid to avoid ‘community tensions’

A district judge ruled that the publication of his identity was in the public interest

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Police have admitted they tried to conceal the identity of a Polish rapist for fear of stoking further tensions in a town inhabited by number of Eastern European migrants.

Derbyshire Constabulary requested that Marcin Jaworski, 20, be added to the sex offenders register, but did not want his name to be published by the media.

The force argued the release of information about Mr Jaworski's might force him leave the Shirebrook area in order to avoid further public hostility against foreign nationals.

Andrew Davison, a district judge, ruled that the publication of Mr Jaworski’s identity be permitted after Derbyshire Times reporter Jon Cooper argued it was in the public interest and in the interests of public safety.

Mr Davison told a Chesterfield magistrates’ court civil hearing on Friday: “A fundamental principle is open justice, which is a hallmark of the law. The media plays a vital role in the upholding of that principle on behalf of the public.”

Superintendent Jim Allen of Derbyshire Police said in a statement: “Reporting restrictions were requested in this case because of concerns raised by local officers.

“There have been widely reported community tensions in the Shirebrook area in the past, linked to the large number of Eastern European people who now live and work in the area.

“We respect the decision of the judge who ruled the case should be heard without restriction.”

Mr Jaworski was questioned by police after he was found drinking alcohol in a prohibited area within the town,

Background checks revealed he had been convicted of rape in Poland in 2014. Police responded by applying for an order requiring him to sign the sex offenders register.

The hearing was adjourned until 5 May because Mr Jaworski was not present.