PHD student Reynhard Sinaga, 36, who filmed himself attacking his victims after drugging them at his Manchester home, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He was found guilty of 159 counts of sexual offences against 48 different men.
Sinaga has been linked to more than 190 potential victims – 70 of whom police have yet to identify. He will serve a minimum of 30 years before being considered for release.
Sinaga’s sentencing – which took place at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square – comes at the conclusion of four separate trials. Earlier trials were unable to be publicised due to reporting restrictions that were put in place to protect the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Prowler
During the course of each trial, the court heard how Sinaga would prowl the streets targeting mainly heterosexual men who were alone and potentially vulnerable before approaching them.
Sinaga would then strike up a conversation with his intended victim, acting as a good samaritan and convincing them to come back to his home under false pretences, taking advantage of their trusting nature. Once inside he would offer them a drink which, unbeknownst to the men, would contain a substance – believed to be GHB – that would render them unconscious.
With his victim unconscious, Sinaga would rape and sexually assault the men whilst filming his horrific acts.
Many left his flat unaware they’d even been attacked, jurors at Manchester Crown Court were told.
Sinaga was completely unknown to police and his offending only came to light, when one of his victims woke up during one of the sickening attacks and fought him off.
After the incident was reported to police, the scale of his offending soon became apparent and he was swiftly arrested and charged before being remanded into custody.
Although the majority of these victims have been identified, there remain around 70 who have not yet been identified and detectives are keen to speak with them to ensure they have any support needed.
Top cop led on the case
ACC Mabs Hussain MBE – a former West Yorkshire Chief Superintendent who ranks as one of the country’s most senior Muslim officers, said: “Reynhard Sinaga is a depraved individual, who targeted potentially vulnerable men that he had spotted walking on their own after a night out.
The ACC for GMP added: “He would strike up a conversation with them before leading them back to his flat under a false premise and drugging them before subjecting them to sickening abuse, all the while recording the attacks as they took place.
“To the rest of the world he came across as an engaged member of society who was studying for a PHD qualification and had a small circle of law-abiding friends that he would socialise with.
“However beneath that façade was a serial sex offender, who we now believe to be Britain’s most prolific rapist. The fact that he was able to cover-up his true nature for so long, just serves as further evidence of his calculating criminal nature.”
The ACC also paid tribute to Sinaga’s victims, many of whom did not know for certain what had happened to them until they received a visit from the police, after they had been identified from the videos taken by their abuser.
“I can only imagine how devastating this news must have been for them but the bravery that these men have shown in engaging with officers and support workers in an effort to come to terms with what happened is nothing short of incredible,” comments Mr Hussain.
“Many of these men have stood up in court and provided evidence, which detailed the significant impact these offences have had on their lives. We appreciate this can be a daunting experience and it truly does take a lot of courage to stand up in court and tell your story.
Impact on police team watching rape videos
“Finally, I would like to thank the investigation team, led by Detective Inspector Zed Ali, for the meticulous work that they have put in since this inquiry was launched.
“They, along with colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Survivors Manchester, have made supporting and seeking justice for those affected by Sinaga their absolute priority.
“Even with the video evidence, this was not a straight forward case and it required round the clock work, including consulting with subject matter experts, carrying out detailed research, arranging pre-trial court visits for witnesses and other vital tasks.
“Many of the team also had to sit and watch the horrifying videos that Sinaga created, which has undoubtedly had a personal impact on them.
“Without their work, there would be more victims out there who were unaware of exactly what had happened to them and without any specialist support being provided.
“I hope the work of the investigation team sends out a clear message that Greater Manchester Police is prepared to invest time and resources into bringing those who carry out sex offences to justice as well as work alongside partner agencies to provide victims with any support they need.”
Judge’s comments
Upon sentencing, Judge Suzanne Goddard said: “Rarely, if ever, have the courts seen such a campaign of rape as this, covering so many victims over a prolonged period.”
She told the court the true scale of Sinaga’s offending may never be known but that police appeared to have established 195 men were filmed by the defendant while unconscious.
Judge Goddard added: “It is ironic that were it not for the films that you took of your evil crimes it seems that most of these offences would not have even been discovered, let alone prosecuted.
“Your actions show you as a dangerous individual with no sense of reality.
“In my judgment you are a highly dangerous, cunning and deceitful individual who will never be safe to be released.”
Deeply disturbing case
Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, said: “Both the nature of Sinaga’s appalling crimes and their scale are shocking.
“This has been a deeply distressing and disturbing case and I want to thank Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the Crown Prosecution Service and other partners for their relentless and meticulous work on what is believed to be the largest rape investigation in British judicial history.
“I particularly want to praise the victims and survivors for their bravery and courage throughout these trials – it has been an immensely challenging and upsetting time.
“The police, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Survivors Manchester, Victim Support, the National Probation Service and other partner agencies have worked together to provide victims and survivors with the best possible support throughout the trials.
“I also want to echo GMP’s appeal for further victims of Sinaga to come forward, so we can ensure they get the support they need. I also want to urge anyone who has been a victim of any rape or sexual assault to come forward and report it to police, confident that they will receive the help and support they need.
“Greater Manchester is a resilient place. We have undergone traumas in the past and, together, come through them. Sinaga is an appalling individual, who acted alone and is now off our streets. He is in no way representative of our city-region and people should not be fearful of enjoying all that Manchester city centre has to offer.”
Are you a victim?
If you have been affected by this case or believe that you may have been a victim of Reynhard Sinaga, then please contact police or specialist support agencies using the contact details below.
All reports made to police will be fully investigated and Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.
Reports relating to Reyhard Sinaga can also be made online via the Major Incident Public Portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP19V24-PO2
Dedicated incident room contact details
If you wish to speak to police and make a report relating to Reynhard Sinaga, then please contact: 0800 092 0410 (calls made from within the UK) / 0207158 0124 (international calls).
If you have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, then please contact: 0800 056 0154 (calls made from within the UK) / 0207158 0011 (international calls).
