A man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for raping two young women at a Holiday Inn hotel and assaulting a third woman by spiking her drink. Philip Duffield, 25, committed the crimes in Shrewsbury in 2024. He faced charges of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration in Birmingham Crown Court, where he was deemed ‘dangerous’ by the judge. Additionally, he received a three-year extended license.
Duffield was with a friend at a Shrewsbury Hotel Wetherspoons before targeting the victims, aged 18 and 20. The incidents escalated at Albert’s Shed and Fever nightclub before they ended up at the Holiday Inn. Surveillance footage captured Duffield carrying one of the unconscious victims into a pre-booked room, where he raped the 18-year-old while the other victim was present.
The court heard that one of the victims promptly reported the attack to the police the next morning, leading to Duffield’s arrest. Despite being bailed, Duffield assaulted another woman after a night out in Birmingham later that year. The victim recounted being drugged by Duffield and waking up to find herself bleeding and being sexually assaulted.
Judge Heidi Kubik emphasized the severity of Duffield’s actions, noting that he took advantage of the victims’ vulnerable states. The victims shared the lasting impact of the assaults, with one suffering from anxiety and depression, leading to discontinuation of studies and isolation from friends. Duffield’s defense claimed his positive character and immaturity, which the judge dismissed, highlighting his education and employment background.