In a case that has sparked considerable controversy, the son of a Supreme Court judge has received an unexpectedly lenient sentence for armed robbery. The 17-year-old, armed with an axe, robbed a general store in Wieliczka twice and was caught in the act on his third attempt. The Kraków court found him guilty, yet issued a reduced sentence, citing “extraordinary mitigation.”
The robberies, committed in April and May, were marked by a consistent method: the teen entered the stores dressed in black with goggles and a hood, wielding an axe, and demanded cash. After escaping twice, he was apprehended on his third attempt, with evidence leaving no doubt of his guilt. The young man, later identified as the son of Marta Romańska, a prominent Supreme Court judge, was initially detained and held in custody.
The sentencing judge, Dariusz Mazur—now Deputy Minister of Justice—acknowledged the gravity of the crime, but the court opted for a reduced sentence. Rather than the standard three to 20 years for robbery with a dangerous weapon, the teen was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, along with a fine. The court also mandated a therapeutic detention, citing rehabilitative measures as essential.