Man spiked teenager's drink in nightclub before filming himself sexually assault her

22 October 2021, 19:19

Howarth has been jailed for seven years
Howarth has been jailed for seven years. Picture: GMP

By Will Taylor

A man who spiked a woman's drink before filming himself sexually assaulting her has been jailed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Sean Howarth used cocaine to spike the 19-year-old’s drink while she was in a nightclub in Manchester city centre before luring her away and taking her to a hotel.

The 31-year-old also emptied her bank account while she was unconscious, with Greater Manchester Police detectives calling his crimes "the premeditated violation of a young woman".

Howarth, who lived in Huddersfield but is originally from Rochdale, was jailed for seven years and two months at Minshull Street Crown Court and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He had previously pleaded guilty to administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, offering to supply a class A drug, theft and fraud.

The sentencing comes amid nationwide concern at spiking in nightclubs, with some reporting of people using injections on victims.

Read more: Police probe suspected needle spiking attacks - with dozens reported in one area

Read more: Student shares harrowing experience of being 'spiked' with injection

Student campaigner speaks of spiking reports to LBC

Greater Manchester Police said he went to the nightclub in February 2019 and joined a group of women, making unwanted advances at one of them and offering cocaine to her friends.

He then spiked a woman's drink with cocaine and she became unwell and incoherent. Howarth lured her away and took her to his room at the Royal Toby Hotel in Rochdale.

He told staff the woman was his sister and that she just needed to sleep off the drink, then carried her while she was unconscious.

In his room, Howarth recorded himself pulling the lower clothing off his still-unconscious victim and then sexually assaulting her.

He also used her thumbprint to get on her mobile and he transferred all the money from her bank to his account and photographed her personal details, including emails, passwords and social media accounts.

When she woke up in the morning, she had no idea where she was or how she got there.

Caller explains how security could prevent injection-spiking.

Howarth claimed she had given her phone to her friend on the night out but he had actually sold it to a second-hand shop.

Detective Constable Russell Clarke, of Rochdale CID, said Howarth "spun a web of lies" and changed his story a number of times.

"The circumstances of this case are truly shocking and involved the premeditated violation of a young woman," he said.

"Howarth gave her no consideration as he exploited her in order to satisfy his own sexual and financial greed."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home