A violent Polish criminal who should have been deported after attacking two police officers is still in the UK, earning thousands of pounds as a bare-knuckle boxer whilst fighting extradition.
Dawid Ostafi, 35, who is wanted in his homeland for robbery, pockets £7,000 per bout as a cruiserweight brawler in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
A judge relaxed his bail conditions so he could compete in the brutal sport whilst he appeals against extradition to Poland, where he faces serious charges.
The Wrecking Machine’s UK Crime Spree
Ostafi, known as “The Wrecking Machine” and fighting under the name David Oscar, arrived in the UK in 2016, the same year he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment in Poland.
In 2019, the 6ft 1in thug gave a woman police officer a “flying headbutt” and assaulted her male colleague when arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Officers discovered a metal baseball bat, pepper spray and a wrap of cocaine in the stolen £48,000 Audi he was driving at the time of his arrest.
Ostafi, who had previously punched a garage worker 20 times and dislodged three teeth, was jailed for 40 months for the attacks on police.
Slipped Through Home Office Net
Upon release from prison, the violent offender should have been automatically deported under the UK Borders Act due to his serious criminal convictions.
However, Ostafi managed to slip through the Home Office net and remained in Britain for years despite his deportation liability.
He was only arrested in August last year at a boxing gym after Polish authorities formally appealed for his extradition.
The criminal has convictions for robbery and extortion in Poland, where he is still wanted to serve his sentence.
Bail Conditions Relaxed for Fight Nights
Ostafi, who lives in Blackburn, is currently on £40,000 bail whilst fighting his extradition through the courts.
He must wear an electronic tag and comply with a strict curfew, except on fight nights when he is permitted to leave to compete in bare-knuckle bouts.
The relaxation of his bail conditions to allow him to continue his lucrative boxing career has raised eyebrows given his violent history and flight risk.
His earnings of £7,000 per fight mean the violent criminal is making substantial sums whilst avoiding deportation and justice in Poland.
Human Rights Claim Blocks Deportation
Ostafi’s lawyers are arguing he has a right to a family life in Britain under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The criminal has a son in the UK with his wife, who also has two children from a previous relationship.
This claim to family life is being used to fight extradition despite his serious criminal record in both Poland and the UK.
The European Convention on Human Rights includes Article 8, which protects the right to private and family life, though this must be balanced against the public interest in deporting foreign criminals.
High Court Blocks Appeal but Legal Battle Continues
The High Court has already blocked Ostafi’s appeal against extradition, ruling that he should be returned to Poland to face justice.
However, he remains entitled to further appeals through the legal system, allowing him to continue living and working in Britain.
The lengthy appeals process means violent foreign criminals can often remain in the UK for years whilst exhausting all legal avenues.
Pattern of Violent Behaviour
Ostafi’s criminal history demonstrates a clear pattern of serious violence against both civilians and police officers.
The flying headbutt attack on a female police officer and assault on her colleague shows contempt for law enforcement and a willingness to use extreme violence.
His earlier attack on a garage worker, which left the victim with three dislodged teeth after being punched 20 times, reveals brutal and sustained violence.
The discovery of weapons including a metal baseball bat and pepper spray in his stolen vehicle suggests he was prepared to use force against others.
Questions Over Home Office Failures
The case raises serious questions about how Ostafi was able to avoid deportation after completing his prison sentence in the UK.
The UK Borders Act provides for automatic deportation of foreign nationals sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment, yet Ostafi remained in Britain.
Home Office failures to enforce deportation orders have been a recurring issue, with numerous foreign criminals remaining in the UK despite court orders.
Bare-Knuckle Boxing Career Flourishes
Whilst fighting extradition, Ostafi has built a successful career in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, one of the fastest-growing combat sports.
His ring name “The Wrecking Machine” reflects his violent reputation, whilst his adopted fighting name David Oscar helps him maintain a public profile.
Bare-knuckle boxing has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with fighters competing without gloves in brutal bouts that often result in serious cuts and injuries.
The sport’s violent nature seems fitting for a criminal with Ostafi’s history of assault and battery.
Public Safety Concerns
The decision to relax bail conditions for a violent criminal wanted for extradition has sparked concerns about public safety.
Ostafi’s history of attacking police officers and civilians suggests he poses a genuine risk to others, yet he is permitted to travel for fights.
The £40,000 bail amount may prove insufficient deterrent for someone earning £7,000 per fight and potentially facing years in a Polish prison.
As Ostafi continues to exhaust legal appeals whilst profiting from his boxing career, questions mount about whether the system adequately protects the public from violent foreign criminals.
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