Openshaw man convicted of drugging and raping woman

A man has been convicted of sexual offences against three women, including drugging and raping a woman.

Steven Evans, 33, of Openshaw, Manchester, was convicted today of 33 sexual offences including 15 rapes between February 2015 and October 2021.

He was also convicted of two counts of administering a noxious substance with intent and two counts of administering a stupefying drug with intent.

The prosecution’s case was that Evans had drugged one of the women before sexually abusing her on several occasions.

Evans denied the offences saying any contact between him and the three women was consensual.

Following a two-week trial, Evans was found guilty of all 37 offences at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.

He will be sentenced on 30 November 2023.
 
Wakkas Javed, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Unit, said: “Evans is a danger to women. He has shown no remorse and compounded the trauma of his victims by making them re-live their ordeal in giving evidence at court.

“Our specialist prosecutors know there is no typical response to rape and every victim can act differently including freezing or not screaming for help.
 
“During the trial, we addressed the jury on rape myths, in order to combat any harmful assumptions about consent.
 
“I would like to thank the women for supporting the prosecution of this case and seeking justice.”