A young woman's life was left in ruins after she was targeted by a sex predator in a Wetherspoon's pub in Shrewsbury, a court has heard. Philip Duffield, now 25, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of violent sexual attacks on three women.
A Night Out That Turned to Terror
The ordeal began on April 26, 2024, when an 18-year-old girl, who was not an experienced drinker, went for a night out. She met a 20-year-old woman at The Shrewsbury Hotel Wetherspoon's pub. Tragically, they encountered Philip Duffield, who had travelled from Birmingham with a friend, having booked a room at a Holiday Inn hotel with the intention of meeting girls for sex.
The pair approached the two women and struck up a conversation. The girls quickly became alarmed by their sexually aggressive behaviour, prompting the teenager to call her boyfriend. The group later moved to Albert's Shed and Fever nightclub, where both victims became heavily intoxicated.
The Horrific Hotel Room Assaults
Separated from her friend, the 18-year-old was persuaded by Duffield's companion to go to the Holiday Inn. When she arrived, the other woman was not there. Duffield later appeared and was captured on CCTV carrying the unconscious teenager through the hotel lobby.
After partially regaining consciousness, she tried to leave but Duffield blocked the door. The court heard she was pushed or struck to the floor, injuring her face, before retreating to the bathroom. Duffield then raped the semi-conscious 18-year-old on the bed.
In a further act of brutality, the teenager was forced to witness Duffield pin down and rape the 20-year-old woman, who was crying throughout the attack. The following morning, Duffield dropped the teenager at a railway station. Distraught, she flagged down a stranger who took her to a police station to report the crime.
A Pattern of Predatory Behaviour and Devastating Impact
While on bail awaiting a charging decision for the Shrewsbury attacks, Duffield went on to sexually assault a third woman in December 2024 after taking her home and spiking her drink.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Duffield, of Grosvenor Road, Solihull, was sentenced. He had been found guilty of two counts of rape and one offence of assault by penetration.
Prosecutor Alexander Pritchard-Jones revealed the profound impact on the youngest victim. She has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, suffers nightmares, and struggles to sleep. She had to leave college and is on long-term sick leave from work.
"She now has no friends. She doesn't function. She doesn't go out. She avoids meeting new people," Mr Pritchard-Jones told the court. The 20-year-old victim also suffers from anxiety, sleep deprivation, and has been forced to take time off work.
Sentencing Duffield, Judge Heidi Kubik KC concluded he was a 'dangerous offender' who remained unrepentant. He received a 12-year custodial sentence with an extended three-year licence period. The friend who was with Duffield in Shrewsbury was cleared of all charges by the jury.
