Toronto bartender charged with alleged sexual assault

A bartender from Waterloo who was arrested earlier this month for mixing alcohol into a guest’s drink and sexually assaulting her at a downtown Toronto hotel, he faces another charge stemming from a similar incident.

In October 2023, an investigation was launched after it was alleged that a female victim was staying at a city centre hotel on October 14 when she visited the bar and was served drinks by the accused, who police said was working as a bartender.

The defendant served the woman a mixed drink and claimed: “This is my special drink.” The victim then lost consciousness and was sexually assaulted, police said.

On June 12, authorities arrested Manish Patil, 35, of Waterloo, on charges of sexual assault.

Authorities were investigating a similar incident in May 2024 allegedly involving the same suspect. In that incident on May 13, police said, a woman was staying at a downtown hotel when the accused invited her for a drink.

After the drinks, the victim went to her room and the accused went back to work as a bartender in the hotel bar. Police said the woman passed out before returning to her hotel. She was then sexually assaulted by the suspect.

On Monday, Patil was also charged with sexual assault. The accused appeared in court yesterday.

Investigators believe there may be more victims, as Patil may have worked at other hotels in downtown Toronto. They are urging anyone with information to come forward.