Brave victim’s testimony secures sentence in city centre rape investigation

A man has been jailed for 10 and a half years after being found guilty of three counts of rape and false imprisonment

Benjamin Wilson (03/08/1990) of Norwood Avenue, Chesterfield, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after being found guilty of offences committed in Manchester city centre in June 2022.

Detectives carried out a sensitive, victim-led investigation after Wilson exploited an extremely vulnerable and intoxicated victim.

The victim plucked up the courage to go on a night out with friends in Manchester, however, she became separated from them and was later subjected to a serious sexual assault, linked to a suspected drink spiking.

During the evening, the victim and her friend believed their drinks had been tampered with. She later found herself alone, heavily intoxicated, and extremely vulnerable. She encountered Wilson near a takeaway, where he took advantage of the situation, guiding her into a taxi before repeatedly raping her at a flat in Manchester.

The following morning, Wilson dropped her near the hotel where she had been due to stay with her friend. She reported the incident shortly afterwards.

Due to the trauma she experienced and previous medical PTSD, officers worked closely with the victim’s parents and a trusted colleague to support the investigation and help identify, locate, arrest, and charge the offender.

From the outset, investigators faced significant challenges, including limited early forensic opportunities, issues securing CCTV footage and the need to prioritise the victim’s wellbeing.

Hundreds of hours of work went into analysing witness accounts, financial and phone data, intelligence checks, and overcoming cross-force barriers to make an arrest in Derbyshire.

Officers progressed the case carefully to avoid causing further trauma, using digital evidence, including phone data and social media, to establish key links and identify the suspect.

The case was ultimately built through meticulous investigation, persistence, and, crucially, the strength and courage of the victim’s testimony.

DC Phillip Sargeant of Longsight CID said: “I am awestruck not only by the courage of the victim in coming forward, but also by her patience and resilience in waiting for justice.

“The impact on her, her family and her support network has been profound. I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of closure and enables them to move on from this traumatic experience.

“We have worked hard to support her throughout, allowing her to guide the pace of the investigation and how she engaged with the process.

“I hope this case reassures others that they will be taken seriously and supported sensitively by Greater Manchester Police, no matter how long it takes.”

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised for its strong support services for victims of sexual offences.

Support for Victims

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, you are not alone. You can report it to the police or contact specialist support services:

• Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Manchester
  24/7 support, forensic examinations, and counselling, call 0161 276 6515
• Greater Manchester Rape Crisis
  Confidential support and counselling for women aged 18+, call 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
• Survivors Manchester
  Trauma-informed support for boys and men, call 0161 236 2182

Think you’ve been spiked on a night out?

Get help straight away—call 111 or go to A&E.

For specialist support, contact your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). They can provide care, advice, and help you report spiking or related crimes.

Find your nearest SARC:

• England

Wales