Steven Evans

Steven Evans, a 33-year-old man from Openshaw, Greater Manchester, has been convicted of multiple sexual offences involving the rape and sexual assault of four women. Greater Manchester Police described his actions as predatory, involving the spiking of victims with a substance he referred to as 'magic', which rendered them unconscious or asleep during the attacks. Evans was found guilty of all 37 counts he faced, including rape, sexual assault, and administering a noxious substance.

The investigation began in December 2022 when one of the victims discovered explicit images on a mobile phone showing Evans sexually assaulting her. She reported to officers that she had no memory of the incidents but recalled waking up with pain in intimate body parts on multiple occasions. When she confronted Evans, he laughed and discouraged her from seeking medical help. This led police to identify three additional victims who provided similar accounts of being spiked and assaulted by Evans.

During the assaults, Evans inflicted horrific damage to his victims' bodies and captured photographs and videos of the non-consensual acts without their knowledge or consent. A search of Evans's devices following his arrest on 8 March 2023 revealed 61 photographs and 35 videos documenting over 25 separate incidents. Online searches on his devices included queries about sexsomnia and substances that induce sleep, indicating premeditation.

Evans denied the charges but was convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Initially sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment on 30 November 2023, his term was reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme, resulting in an extension to 30 years. He was also subjected to an eight-year extended licence period, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and issued with a restraining order. Detective Sergeant Natasha Feerick of Greater Manchester Police stated: 'The severity of Steven Evans' crimes cannot be understated. I sincerely hope that the extended 30-year custodial sentence with a further eight-year extended licence brings all his victims and the public reassurance that justice will prevail.'

The case highlights the dangers of spiking and the importance of thorough police investigations in sexual offence cases, as reported by the BBC and Greater Manchester Police.