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

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'the people we want to bring back to the Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'

The teen was left to die by the side of road.

Six teenagers arrested after 13-year-old girl left with life-threatening injuries in East Yorkshire stabbing

Israel claims to have killed a high-ranking member of Hamas

Israel 'eliminates' one of Hamas' last high-ranking officials

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

King Charles 'finally cuts Prince Andrew off' as he 'axes Duke's annual £1m allowance'