Photographer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault
A British man has recently been jailed for more than 11 years, after he admitted drugging and raping three young men he met on social media.
Bristol Crown court heard how 43 year old Nigel Wilkinson set up a website last year, WilkoPhotography, and marketed himself as a fitness photographer. He would scout Instagram for potential victims and then invite them back to his home for a photo shoot under the guise of ‘putting together a modelling portfolio’. However, once they arrived, he would ply his victims with alcohol that was laced with various drugs, including Rohypnol, before attacking them.
Police investigation
Police began investigating Wilkinson in February of this year. Kent police were called by the girlfriend of a 19 year old man after she had received a text message from her boyfriend that claimed he had been drugged. Officers found the 19 year old at Wilkinson’s home and after a number of hospital tests, traces of a sedative were discovered in his system. The man also underwent further tests at a sexual assault referral centre, the results of which prompted officers to make an arrest.
When they arrived at Wilkinson’s home to make the arrest in April, police found a 23-year-old man asleep on the sofa. The man underwent tests at the Bridge sexual assault centre in Bristol and it was found that he had been drugged and raped.
A third victim, another 19 year old male, was discovered by police during their investigation. Like Wilkinson’s other two victims, this young man was also found to have traces of sedatives in his system. Empty drug packets and photographs of other young males on his computer (some of whom were naked) were also found during police searches of Wilkinson’s property.
None of his victims have any recollection of the acts committed on them.
Sentencing
The 43 year old received a sentence of 11 and a half years after pleading guilty to two counts of rape and three counts of administering a substance with intent to rape. Wilkinson also pleaded guilty to possession of the class C drugs Flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol, and Nitrazepam.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Longman told him:
“You wanted to have sex with as many attractive men as possible. All the victims were much younger than you and entrusted themselves to you. You abused the trust they placed in you.”
Continued Investigation
The police investigation into Wilkinson’s background is ongoing. As the three known victims had no memory of the attacks, police are concerned that there may be many more victims. Officers have expressed that they want to speak with anyone who may have been in contact with him through dating or photography websites and that the number of potential victims is expected to run into double figures.
PC Mike Steven said:
“The circumstances of this case are truly horrifying. I’d encourage any other victim of Nigel WIlkinson to come forward and speak to us. We’re always here and ready to listen to, believe and respect victims.”
Sexual Abuse Claims – Expert Advice
Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL). More detailed information regarding sexual abuse claims can be found here.
For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.
Source: Guardian
