Lecturer forgives thug who beat him black and blue

Two years after being horribly battered in his own home, University lecturer, Paul Kohler says he has, finally, forgiven his attackers.

He said this after meeting one of the them in prison, Tuesday. Kohler met with Mariusz Tomaszweski, 33, at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire at the instance of restorative justice charity Why me? Tomaszweski was jailed for 19 years for the attack.

Four men, August last year, stormed into Kohler’s £2million home, beat him senseless in front of his terrified wife leaving him unrecognisable.

For about two hours, Kohler and Tomaszweski talked and they shook hands afterwards.

After the meeting, Kohler told Wimbledon Guardian that the criminal was “terrified” of seeing him.

‘It was quite scary initially. He was obviously terrified.

‘Conversation was stilted at first – the facilitator from Why Me? was very good making sure there were no gaps and dialogue ensued.’

‘He was remorseful and regretful but realistic – he was reflective. He knows he failed before and couldn’t make a cast-iron promise he wouldn’t do it again.’

‘We would have moved on either way, but it’s nice to forgive someone’.

Kohler is due to have similar meetings with at least two more of his attackers next year..