Serial UK rapist gets life term

LONDON – A man described as “the most prolific rapist in British legal history” was sentenced to life in prison with a possible release after 30 years following his conviction for sexual offenses against 48 men.

But authorities said the evidence against Reynhard Sinaga, 36, indicated he had many more victims, with roughly 195 men apparently having been filmed while being abused when they were in his apartment. Many were unconscious at the time.

Judge Suzanne Goddard said in Manchester Crown Court that the true number of Sinaga’s victims may never be known.

“You are an evil serial sexual predator who has preyed upon young men who came into the city center wanting nothing more than a good night out with their friends,” she said. “One of your victims described you as a monster. The scale and enormity of your offending confirms this as an accurate description.”

She said the courts had rarely seen such a prolonged “campaign of rape.”

Prosecutors say Sinaga had a nonthreatening manner. He befriended young men, including many who were intoxicated after a night out, and offered them a place to stay at his apartment. He filmed many of the forced sexual encounters.

His Manchester church offered a statement in support of his character that did not seem to sway the judge.

“It is almost beyond belief that someone who could profess some Christian faith could at the same time have been committing such wicked and evil crimes,” Goddard said.