Openshaw rapist who injured women 'in horrific ways' jailed

A rapist who "knowingly spiked" and "preyed upon" four women, causing them injuries "in horrific ways" during his attacks, has been jailed.

Greater Manchester Police said Steven Evans, 33, gave the women "what he called 'magic'" and then raped them while they were unconscious or asleep.

He also took photos and videos of them without their knowledge or consent.

Evans, of Openshaw, was convicted of 37 offences and jailed for 24 years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The force said the investigation into Evans began in December 2022 after one of the women found images of him sexually assaulting her on a mobile phone.

It said she told officers she could not remember the photos being taken, but recalled a "catalogue of incidents where she had woken up with intimate body parts hurting".

She said when she told Evans, he laughed at her and dissuaded her from going to hospital.

She also told police he had raped her while she was conscious.

Officers then located a second woman, who told them that she was "raped, sexually assaulted, and believed she was spiked by Evans".

She also told police he would pressure her into sex and "coerced her, threatening to harm himself if she ever left".

She too discovered similar "disturbing, explicit images she couldn't recall being taken", a force representative said.

Two further women were identified by officers, who said they had been spiked by Evans at a house party.

Evans was arrested on 8 March and officers subsequently found 61 photographs and 35 videos that confirmed more than 25 separate non-consensual sexual encounters.

He was also found to have searched online for the definition of the sleep disorder sexsomnia and for conditions and diseases that "make you sleep".

He denied rape, sexual assault and administering a noxious substance, but was found guilty of all 37 counts he faced.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Sgt Natasha Feerick said the women should be praised for their "bravery" at an "extremely difficult time".

"Evans knowingly spiked his victims with what he called 'magic' and preyed upon their vulnerabilities when spiked," she said.

"He injured them and left them with damage to their bodies in horrific ways.

"His lack of remorse for the victims and their welfare is despicable."

Evans was also handed an extended eight-year licence period on top of his sentence, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and made the subject of a restraining order.

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