Amateur photographer who drugged and sexually assaulting straight male models found guilty
Gay photographer Nigel Wilkinson took photos of his victims naked after drugging them
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
An amateur photographer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting aspiring straight male models in his Bristol home.
Photographer Nigel Wilkinson reportedly ‘drugged male models’ after he had lured them back to his home between 2014 and 2016, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The gay amateur photographer offered to take clothed pictures of his victims but after drugging them, he secretly photographed them naked.
Wilkinson left his retail job to set up his own photography business and paid for the men to get a train to Bristol and paid them hundreds of pounds to model in the shoots, the jury heard.
The 45 year old was accused of raping one man and sexually assaulting another but he pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges relating to seven different complainants, the BBC reported.
These included one count of rape and one sexual assault as well as six for administering a substance with intent and five of voyeurism.
Wilkinson allegedly told his victims that he worked for a successful photographer as a way of gaining their trust.
He was arrested in April 2016 and two sedatives were found in his home.
Around 69 men were contacted by Wilkinson regarding his business and up to 37 men agreed to be photographed by him.
Police then contacted 51 of the men and seven agreed to give evidence.
This week, Wilkinson was found guilty of nine of the 13 offenses, including one count of rape, five counts of administering a substance with intent, and three counts of voyeurism.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Wilkinson did not to attend his sentencing hearing and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The judge imposed an extended sentence of 20 years and six months made up of 16 years and six months in custody and four years on licence.