NIGEL WILKINSON SENTENCED TO 20 AND A HALF YEARS FOR TERROR IN EAST SUSSEX
Nigel Wilkinson, a man with a troubling history of offending, has been sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment after a recent conviction for heinous acts committed in East Sussex.Despite already serving an 11-and-a-half-year sentence from a previous conviction, Wilkinson was handed an additional nine years today, bringing his total imprisonment to 20 and a half years.
The charges against him include rape, sexual assault, voyeurism, and the administration of sedatives to multiple male victims.
Wilkinson, 45, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty earlier following an earlier trial in 2016 where he was convicted of sedating and raping male models.
These models had been lured to Wilkinson’s residence in Windmill Hill with promises of free photoshoots, only to become victims of his manipulation and abuse.
Today’s court proceedings involved nine jurors who watched His Honour Judge James Patrick pass down the sentence.
Wilkinson notably chose not to attend the sentencing hearing himself.
His absence was explained by Edward Burgess, his legal representative, who stated that Wilkinson did not wish to appear because he believed the sentencing might extend beyond his then-expected release date in February 2022, implying he saw no purpose in attending.
Judge Patrick criticized Wilkinson’s choice, expressing his disapproval of such a decision, emphasizing that criminal proceedings are not optional.
During the trial, which commenced in late November, an ex-prisoner testified that Wilkinson had confided in him while they were incarcerated together that he had “many more victims.” The witness further claimed Wilkinson had expressed hope that police investigations would cease, as he felt he had not been fully accountable for all his victims.
This revelation prompted additional investigations.
Following media coverage of the 2016 trial, two more victims came forward.
The police investigations uncovered five more victims across different parts of the country, suggesting that Wilkinson’s abuse may be even more extensive, with some potential victims possibly unaware of their exploitation.
Graphic images and evidence were presented, revealing Wilkinson’s home photography studio and bar, locations where he drugged drinks with sedatives and assaulted his victims.
The court was shown disturbing footage and photographs that illustrated the extent of Wilkinson’s predatory behavior.
The prosecution, led by Sarah Regan, read out impact statements from Wilkinson’s victims to highlight the trauma inflicted upon them.
One man shared his feelings of being “stained” and infected against his will, suffering from nightmares and flashbacks that haunted him long after the assaults.
He expressed deep regret for not coming forward sooner, fearing that additional victims could have been saved.
He questioned whether Wilkinson might have taken pictures of him during the assault, viewing it as a possible trophy of his crime.
Another victim described the profound trust issues and social withdrawal resulting from Wilkinson’s actions.
He reported feeling isolated, degraded, and struggling with relationships, revealing that the court process had been an emotionally taxing experience.
Both victims’ statements underscored the long-lasting psychological scars left by Wilkinson’s actions.
In addition to the sentencing, Judge Patrick ordered that Wilkinson’s active Twitter account be removed, noting concerns about his online presence despite his accounts on Facebook and Instagram having been deleted prior to the trial.
Twitter representatives had refused to remove his account, citing the lack of login details, though Wilkinson had supposedly given consent for its removal.
The legal team expressed frustration, describing Twitter as “difficult” and emphasizing the importance of removing such harmful content.
Throughout the hearing, Burgess attempted to mitigate the severity of Wilkinson’s actions, suggesting that individual attacks were not “sustained” and that the psychological harm to victims might be less severe than appears.
However, Judge Patrick dismissed these arguments, emphasizing the prolonged and deliberate nature of Wilkinson’s offenses.
He described how Wilkinson drugged his victims to incapacitate them, making clear that this was not a momentary lapse but a sustained campaign of abuse.
The judge acknowledged the significant trauma experienced by victims, highlighting their nightmares, flashbacks, and ongoing mental health struggles.
He noted the genuine distress exhibited by victims during court and confirmed they suffered severe psychological harm, which weighed heavily in his sentencing decision.
Wilkinson also offered a controversial explanation for his offending, claiming that a series of life stressors—including resigning from his job and discovering a lump on his chest—had driven him to act out of despair.
He stated his intent was to “go out in a blaze of glory,” implying his crimes were linked to his personal crises.
Judge Patrick dismissed this justification, asserting that Wilkinson had been offending long before these events and had already set in motion a pattern of predatory behavior.
The judge described Wilkinson as a dangerous individual under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
He criticized Wilkinson’s refusal to attend court for sentencing as “cowardly” and a sign of contempt for his victims.
The court considered the lengthy sentences warranted, though ultimately he was given an extended custodial sentence just over 20 years, of which he must serve at least two-thirds before being eligible for parole.
Wilkinson will also face lifelong restrictions, including a lifetime ban from working with children and vulnerable adults, and will remain on the sex offenders’ register permanently.
His actions have left indelible scars not only on his victims but also on their families and communities in East Sussex, where the crimes occurred.
