Nigel Wilkinson jailed: Photographer who drugged and raped two men receives 11 year sentence

Police believe there are more victims and urging them to come forward

Nigel Wilkinson lured his victims to his home with the promise of a 'free photoshoot' (Avon & Somerset Police)

Nigel Wilkinson, the photographer who drugged and raped two men at his Bristol home, has been jailed for 11 and a half years.

The 43-year-old, who worked as a male fitness photographer, admitted raping the two men after drugging with a cocktail of drugs including the "date-rape" drug, Rohypnol.

Wilkinson was arrested after Avon and Somerset police officers visited his home in April to arrest him for offences against a 19-year-old man from Kent when they found a second 23-year-old victim asleep on the sofa.

Traces of the sedatives were found in both victims' urine samples and DNA evidence linked Wilkinson to sexual offences committed against them.

The court heard how Wilkinson would identify his victims on social media and invite them to come to his home in Bristol for a free photoshoot.

When they arrived they were given alcoholic drinks laced with sedatives - detectives later found the tablets stashed in a shirt pocket in his wardrobe.

The alarm was raised after the 19-year-old first victim texted his girlfriend to say he thought he had been drugged as he felt a tablet on his tongue while sipping a drunk.

After she raised the alarm police arrived at the house, finding him and the second victim with little memory of what had happened to them.

Since the investigation began another victim has come forward who also had his drink spiked.

Detective Constable Stacey Matthews said: "Nigel Wilkinson promoted himself as a male fitness photographer and last summer set up an online enterprise called WilkoPhotography.

"He’d use social media to identify men he wanted to photograph and would invite them to Bristol for a photoshoot.

"The men would often stay at his home and throughout their visit he would ply them with alcoholic drinks, some of which were laced with sedatives."

She praised the "immense bravery, dignity and courage" the victims had shown throughout the investigation and urged others to come forward.

Police are currently investigating Wilkinson's history and want to speak to anyone who has been in a relationship with him or had any contact with him through his photography business or dating websites.

She said: "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.

"Our vital work to change perceptions and improve our response to male victims of rape or sexual assault is continuing to evolve and I hope it’s encouraging more victims to find the strength to come forward.

"If you don’t want to speak to the police, please speak to someone. Don’t suffer in silence."

Wilkinson pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, three counts of administering a substance with intent to commit rape and one count of possession of class C drugs.

Anyone with information about Wilkinson's background has been asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, quoting reference number 5216165860.