Photographer Drugged, Raped Male Models For 'Robbing Their Masculinity'

An amateur photographer from Bristol, England, was sentenced to over 16 years of imprisonment Tuesday for sedating and sexually assaulting several men.

Nigel Wilkinson, 45, promoted himself as a male fitness photographer on social media and used platforms like Facebook and Instagram to identify his victims. He would then invite them for photo-shoots. In 2016, he was found convicted of nine offenses including “two counts of rape, three counts of administering a substance with intent to rape and possession of class C drugs Flunitrazepam and Nitrazepam” and was given a sentence of 11 years and six months in jail.

Post his conviction, more victims came forward to say he had attacked them. In November, he went on trial at Bristol Crown Court. During the trial, the jury heard him say in a Skype conversation that he gets "a kick out of robbing a straight guy out of his masculinity."

Court heard that Wilkinson lured men to his house in the name of photo-shoots that he advertised on Facebook and Instagram. He would then drug them and sexually assault them.

“Whether this was ever envisaged as a legitimate business, it very quickly morphed into a vehicle for the depraved yearnings of Nigel Wilkinson. Although Nigel Wilkinson was gay, he preferred having sex with straight men. He liked having sex with straight men without them being aware of it,” Prosecutor Sarah Regan told the jury, Mirror reported.

Calling Wilkinson “dangerous,” Judge James Patrick extended his sentence to 20 years and six months. This is made up of 16 years and six months in jail and four years on license. Wilkinson will not be eligible for parole until two-thirds of his new custodial term is served.

“The evidence now available to the court shows that you have a long-standing and entrenched sexual interest in straight men, especially those who are sleeping or drugged. What appeared to be offending against three men in the winter of 2016 is now revealed to be systematic offending against nine men over a period of two years,” the judge said.

“The fact you have refused to attend court for your sentence is, of course, not determinative but it displays a cowardly attitude verging on contempt for your victims, and does nothing to allay the court’s fears that you are not facing the reality and effect of your offending,” he added.

Outside the court, Senior Investigating Officer DI Larisa Hunt said, “I welcome the substantial custodial sentence given to Nigel Wilkinson which reflects the horrific crimes he committed against nine men. If he hadn’t been arrested, I’ve no doubt he would have carried on with his campaign of offending. The significant psychological impact on the victims can never be under-estimated and our thoughts are with them today as they try to move on with their lives,” Avon And Somerset reported.