Polish criminal’s luck runs dry after hiding as whisky distiller

AN artisan whisky distiller has been unmasked in court as a wanted Polish criminal facing trial for conspiracy to murder after spending 20 years on the run in Britain.

Lucasz Ratajewski, 46, is alleged to have fled Poland 20 years ago after being handed a three-year jail term for possession of a handgun.

He has been living a double life as Dariusz Plazewski, the boss of Bimber Distillery, London, which produces single malt whisky.

Initially working in property development and construction after settling in the UK in 2004, he launched his whisky production business, aided by his partner Ewelina Chruszczyk, in 2015.

He was arrested in England in January after Polish prosecutors demanded his extradition to stand trial for conspiracy to murder and drug offences and to serve out the three-year jail sentence given to him in 2003. His lawyers appealed at the High Court earlier in February for his release on bail.

However, Mrs Justice Farbey rejected his application after hearing arguments that his 20-year-long double life in the UK means he “can’t be trusted” not to go on the run again.

Polish authorities initially issued an arrest warrant for Mr Ratjewski 20 years ago, but under his pseudonym he successfully evaded their grip and built a successful life in the UK, London’s High Court heard.

In 2015, using knowledge of home distilling learnt from his father and grandfather, he launched his career in the English whisky industry.

He recently opened a second distillery, Dunphail, in Speyside, Scotland, and his business currently has about 40 employees.

A magistrate will decide on May 4 whether he should be sent back to Poland to face trial for conspiracy to murder.

The court heard how Mr Ratajewski gave police his assumed name, Dariusz Plazewski, on his arrest in Acton, west London, and a false date of birth.

Mrs Justice Farbey said: “When confronted by the picture attached to the arrest warrants, he accepted that he was the person sought in the warrants. He admits that he has been living under a false identity since arriving here early in 2004.”

“The applicant is said to have supplied an AK47 rifle and ammunition to be used as the murder weapon,” the court heard. No murder occurred.

He faces additional charges, including conspiracy to supply cannabis, LSD and heroin, with the earliest charge dating back to 1998.

The judge said: “There’s no evidence that he fled Poland for any reason other than to avoid his sentence.

“I accept that detention will take a toll on his partner and family, but these factors aren’t decisive. I regard his continued detention as proportionate in light of the seriousness of the index offences and his past conduct.”

Mr Ratajewski’s lawyers had applied for bail on grounds that he has put down strong roots in the west London community where he and his partner live,” said barrister George Hepburne-scott.

“His position is irreplaceable and he employs a large number of people.

“It’s inconceivable that after more than 20 years of hard work here, he would go on the run.”