LONDON (AP) — A man described as “the most prolific rapist in British legal history” has been sentenced to life in prison with a possible release after 30 years following his conviction for sexual offenses against 48 men.
Authorities said the evidence against 36-year-old Reynhard Sinaga indicates 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 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 if ever seen such a prolonged “campaign of rape." Reporting restrictions that had prevented the publication of Sinaga's name were lifted Monday.
Prosecutors say Sinaga had a non-threatening 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.
Prosecutor Ian Rushton said many victims initially thanked Sinaga for offering them accommodation.
“But once back at his flat, he used victims as objects purely for his own gratification," Rushton said.
Sinaga arrived in Britain from his native Indonesia on a student visa in 2007. He received two degrees in sociology and planning from the University of Manchester and was studying for his PhD at the University of Leeds when he was suspended following his arrest in 2017.
His thesis was called: “Sexuality and everyday transnationalism. South Asian gay and bisexual men in Manchester."
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," she said.
Emmy-award winning actor Jim O'Heir, best known for his role as Jerry on NBC's "Parks and Recreation," hosts a new singing competition called "Lullaby League," where a cappella groups compete to put a cranky baby to sleep.
The Hulu show, which is already unpredictable, takes even more surprising twists and turns in the second season, actress Amanda Brugel told Cheddar. The series returns on April 25.
The actor, who plays Dolores's father Peter Abernathy, told Cheddar that the tables have turned in the second season of the hit HBO show, and now the robots "seem to have the upper hand." The series comes back on Sunday.
Actresses Jodie Sweetin, Beverley Mitchell, and Christine Lakin give their thoughts on what classic sitcoms should make a comeback...and which ones should stay back in the 90s.
The coffee chain announced it will shut down 8,000 U.S. stores for one afternoon next month to train employees to counter racial bias. The effort is "noble," but we'll need to wait and see if it leads to a real shift, says Nikita Richardson, a staff writer at Grub Street.
The creative director and choreographer was one of the brains behind Beyoncé's internet-stopping performance at Coachella this year. He said it required the utmost secrecy and a lot of coordination. Knight, who is the first choreographer to make it onto Forbes' "30 Under 30" list, also worked on the mega star's iconic "Single Ladies" video.
Pete Torres, COO of the Tribeca Film Festival, talks about the festival and what he considers a very timely closing night screening. This year, the festival will close with "The Fourth Estate," a docu-series that focuses on the New York Times' coverage of the Trump Administration's first 100 days.
We also dig into the #TimesUp movement. Torres says the festival will host an entire day of events dedicated to discussion about gender and pay parity. The festival has around 96 films this year, 46% of which are directed by women.
The 69-year-old singer, actress, and author said she wants her show, "Deana Sings Dino," to bring back "old memories." She will perform her father's greatest hits at Lorenzo's in Staten Island on Friday.
Nearly half the films debuting this year were directed by women, says Pete Torres, the festival's COO. Promoting women in the film industry "always has been part of our mission," he told Cheddar Wednesday.
Fitness legend Denise Austin and her daughter Katie say fitness should focus on quality, not quantity. "Do something every single day, even if it's ten minutes a day," said Denise. The mother-daughter duo have launched tailored workout and nutrition plans for women of all ages.
