X Factor wannabe filmed himself raping women
A FORMER X Factor contestant was jailed for life as a judge said the ‘monstrous’ serial rapist was one of the most dangerous offenders he had ever seen.
Phillip Blackwell, 56, used a ‘rape kit’ to carry out 31 sex attacks on at least nine victims in the English midlands over a 22-year period.
The former substitute teacher was so hungry for fame that he risked capture by auditioning for The X Factor, hoping his victims – whose eyes he often bound with tape – would not recognise him.
Yesterday, Judge Peter Cooke sentenced the ‘pure evil’ predator to a minimum of nine years, saying: ‘Murderers aside, I can think of no more dangerous an individual that I have crossed in my 35 years in criminal law.’
He described the ‘devious’ rapist as ‘calm and calculated’ as he taped some of his victims’ eyes and hands with gaffer tape and used a camcorder to film himself attacking women aged 18 to 20 whom he found walking alone late at night in Birmingham, Coventry and Nuneaton.
Blackwell put on an Irish accent to disguise himself and wore a balaclava or mask while pouncing on his victims, who were often shoved to the ground from behind.
The musician’s X Factor audition in front of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Tweedy and Louis Walsh was broadcast as part of the 2008 series.
He performed a version of Spandau Ballet’s Gold but failed to make it through.
He later performed alongside other stars at the X Factor Live events in 2009, which featured Alexandra Burke and JLS.
After his first attack in 1997, Blackwell preyed on women in Cornwall, where he lived for a time between 2005 and 2019.
The judge told him: ‘You got away with leading a double life for as long as that because you are clever, because you are calculated, because you are forensically aware, because you are devious and because you are manipulative.
‘It is clear that you equipped yourself with a rape kit – a balaclava... tape for binding hands and covering eyes, and a camcorder to record for your later enjoyment.’
He went on: ‘The harm you have done is incalculable. A murderer takes life itself but you have taken so much from so many people. For two decades, you have left lives ruined in your wake.’ Addressing the victims, via video link, Judge Cooke added: ‘I hope it brings you comfort that he is embarking on a life sentence, knowing he has had his just deserts.’
Police recovered 53 videos from Blackwell’s hard drive which showed him performing sex acts on his victims while they were ‘comatose’ after being plied with alcohol.
Other victims were strangers he followed in his car before grabbing their neck or head and ‘ramming’ them to the ground.
Statements from victims were read out to Warwick Crown Court, with one woman describing him as ‘pure evil’.
One victim was told by Blackwell: ‘If I met a girl like you, I would want to marry you. I want you to enjoy this.’
Another was told: ‘It is your fault, you wanted it, dressed like a tart.’
Adrian Langdale, prosecuting, said: ‘He went on The X Factor national tour. It would appear to be a risk to do this but [he] was happy to take [it]...
‘His offending continued after his two minutes of fame.’
Blackwell was finally caught after a victim went to the police and officers subsequently took a DNA sample which linked him to his crimes.
Mr Langdale said: ‘He started with high-risk stranger rapes and abductions to then targeting [people he knew].
‘He evaded justice in excess of 22 years when a victim renewed a claim of rape. A DNA sample was obtained from Blackwell for the first time. He must have assumed he was safe after all these years but this would unravel his web of offending.’
At previous court hearings, he pleaded guilty to 31 sex offences, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, assault by penetration, voyeurism and false imprisonment. He admitted taking indecent photographs of a child and voyeurism in relation to the same child.
The musician, who played in bands named AWOL, Missing People and Suspect, is now a registered sex offender for life.
‘Harm done is incalculable’