A man who sexually assaulted two young women at a Holiday Inn hotel and later attacked a third woman after drugging her has been sentenced to prison. Philip Duffield, aged 25, targeted the first two victims, then aged 18 and 20, in Shrewsbury in 2024. Although initially arrested and released on bail, he went on to assault another woman in Birmingham later the same year.
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Duffield was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. He was deemed ‘dangerous’ by the judge and sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional three-year extended license.
The incidents occurred when Duffield and a friend were at a Shrewsbury Hotel Wetherspoons on April 26, 2024. Subsequently, they moved to Albert’s Shed and Fever nightclub before returning to a Holiday Inn. Duffield had pre-booked a room and was captured on CCTV carrying one of the unconscious victims into the room. During the assault, his friend caused harm to one of the victims.
Duffield raped the 18-year-old victim while the other victim was in the bathroom and went on to assault the older woman when she returned. The judge, Heidi Kubik, highlighted the victims’ vulnerability due to their intoxicated state during the assaults.
One of the victims reported the attack to the police immediately the next morning, leading to Duffield’s arrest. Despite being bailed after initially refusing to comment, Duffield later assaulted another woman at his home after a night out in Birmingham. The victim recalled being drugged by Duffield and waking up to find herself being sexually assaulted.
Judge Kubik concluded that Duffield had spiked the woman’s drink to commit the offense and labeled him a dangerous offender. The impact of the assaults on the victims, including anxiety, depression, and nightmares, was highlighted during the court proceedings. While the defense argued Duffield’s positive character and immaturity, the judge emphasized his education and employment status at the time of the offenses.