‘Sexual predator’ drugged victim he met through dating app

An Edmonton man has been jailed for drugging and raping a woman he met through a dating app.

Adrian Reid, aged 31, of Huxley Road, was sentenced yesterday at Southwark Crown Court to eleven years’ imprisonment for rape, plus another year in prison for theft. He was also convicted for administering a substance with intent, for which he received a five-year concurrent jail term.

The court heard how Reid had contacted the woman, aged in her 20s, via a social media app using an alias. They had agreed to meet at her flat in Paddington in the early hours of 30th June 2020.

During their time together, Reid mixed drinks he had brought with him and gave them to the woman. After a while she began to feel unwell and Reid raped her before she passed out.

When she awoke in the morning, Reid was gone. She also realised a quantity of cash had been stolen from her flat. Reid was arrested two days later, after he was identified using police forensic work.

Officers searched Reid’s Edmonton flat and car and found a small bottle of clear liquid along with the drinks bottles he had taken when he went to Paddington. Analysis revealed the clear liquid was GHB – a so-called ‘date rape’ drug – and traces of this were also found in the bottle.

Reid denied the offences charged against him; however, because of the weight of evidence against him, a jury took just 40 minutes to convict him at his trial last December.

Detective Constable Pat Tully said: “Adrian Reid is a sexual predator and I am pleased that he will now face a significant period of time in jail.

“I hope the woman Reid attacked can take some solace in the fact he has been convicted – her bravery in coming forward has ensured a dangerous man is now behind bars.

“It is clear that this was not an opportunistic crime; Reid had clearly gone to some lengths in planning and then carrying out his attack.

“This leads me to believe that this may not have been his only offence and I would appeal to anyone who may have encountered Reid and been attacked by him to come forward and speak to police.

“Specially trained officers are available to support and help you, and our dedicated team will ensure any allegations are investigated sensitively and thoroughly.”

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