Man is found guilty of assaulting, harassing and intimidating woman in Waterford

A man has been found guilty by a jury of assaulting a woman in a bedroom in Waterford in 2023.

The jury also found the man guilty of harassing her, and intimidating her with the intention that she withdraw a statement she provided to gardaí.

The female victim alleged that on a date unknown in October 2023, Damian Ludka, with an address at St. Herblain Park, Waterford city, physically assaulted her, causing her harm.

The woman said that following an argument with the man, she went to be alone in a bedroom.

She was followed by Ludka however, who sat on her and choked her until she was close to unconsciousness.

The woman says that when she managed to break free from Ludka’s grasp, he slapped her multiple times and pushed her into a wall.

Stalking

Subsequent to this incident, the woman alleges that Ludka stalked her persistently and made threatening phone calls and text messages to her.

On one phone call he threatened to harm her if she did not revert on the statement she had provided to gardaí.

He also sent her a text message where he wrote he would “cut out” one of her tattoos.

The complainant said that Ludka destroyed her phone on two separate occasions in October 2023. The jury found Ludka not guilty of the criminal damage offences relating to this allegation.

Denials

Following a statement which was made by the victim to gardaí, Ludka was detained and interviewed at Waterford Garda Station in December 2023.

He categorically denied all allegations made against him.

Ludka described the woman’s allegations of physical abuse as ”lies”, and said that the injuries shown in the photos she provided to gardaí were caused by a dog.

The photo evidence of the victim’s injuries were used as exhibits for the jury during the trial last week.

Ludka’s defence barrister, Mr. David Roberts BL, asked the jury to consider one of these photos, which showed her in a hospital bed wearing a neckbrace. Mr. Roberts said that this photo was taken prior to the time period where she alleged the assaults took place.

Ludka’s defence counsel also asked the jury to question why there were no medical records from October 2023, the month where the victim claims the assaults took place.

“I was suffering from Damian all the time,” the woman said from the witness stand via an interpreter last week.

“I was in fear at all times,” she further told the jury.

State Prosecutor, Mr. Niall Storan BL, said to the jury that the victim had provided “crystal clear” evidence and was “emphatic” in her allegations.

He described Ludka as a “brazen man, who still thinks he can get away with this.”

Verdict

The jury provided a unanimous guilty verdict on Friday on two counts of assault causing harm, one count of harassment, and one count of intimidation.

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