Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously in this campaign, which started on 2nd May 2021, I have remembered 80 women, the last being mother-of-two Kathleen Griffin, 57, who was killed at her home in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Today we remember Daria Pionko, 21, a sex worker who came to the UK from Poland in February 2015. She was known for being very kind and always wanting to help others.

In December of 2015, she was attacked by Lewis Pierre, 24, of Meanwood, Leeds, who was convicted of her murder following a trial at the city’s crown court in July 2016.

The court heard that it was Pierre’s motive was to steal money taking £80 to buy cigarettes and drugs. Evidence against him included Daria’s blood being on his boots.

In sentencing, the Judge, Mr Justice Goss, told Pierre he would serve at least 22 years in jail for murder and a further 8 years for theft.

He went on to say:

“It was a selfish and brutal attack which ended the life of a vibrant young Polish woman who had been in this country 10 months.”

Daria’s mum said, Lydia, said in a statement her daughter was a “kind-hearted” and “joyful girl”. “We are pleased her murderer has been convicted though nothing will bring our daughter back.”

Daria Pionko

#EveryThreeDays

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Steph Richards (she/her) is a 74-year-old human rights activist, intersectional feminist, and recipient of a 2023 Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award. Holding a Gender Recognition Certificate and "post op", she is the founder and Chair of Translucent.Org.UK, which was named LGBT Organisation of the Year at the 2022 National Diversity Awards. Steph was also shortlisted as a Positive Role Model for Gender at the 2025 National Diversity Awards. Steph’s leadership spans political, healthcare, and community advocacy. She served as the Women’s and LGBT Officer for the Portsmouth Labour Party (2021–2024), co-founded the Women’s Action Network (Portsmouth), and is a former CEO of a women’s health charity. A passionate champion for women's healthcare, she possesses extensive expertise in baby loss awareness, actively defends UK abortion rights and is a member of "Women Against the Far-Right". Calling out VAWG, Steph has researched and written about 125 women and girls killed by a man. A prominent voice in national media and debate, Steph has been featured live on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, Anti Social, Good Morning Britain, Times Radio, LBC, GB News, and Channel 4 News. In 2023, she debated trans human rights alongside Harvard biologist Dr. Carole Hooven at a prominent US university event.

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