Dad of Indonesian rapist says son's life sentence in UK 'fits the crimes'

The father of an Indonesian student described as Britain's most prolific rapist said his son's life sentence "fits the crimes", as the lurid case sparked shock and disgust in his native country.

On Monday, a judge in Manchester sentenced Reynhard Sinaga, a 36-year-old doctoral student, to life in prison and called him an "evil sexual predator" who preyed on drunken young men on nights out.

The court heard he may have attacked as many as 195 men, luring them into his flat with the offer of alcohol or a place to stay for the night.

Sinaga was found guilty of 159 offences, including 136 rapes and eight attempted rapes, at four separate trials, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), making him "the most prolific rapist in British legal history".

"We accept the verdict. His punishment fits his crimes. I don't want to discuss the case any further," Sinaga's father Saibun told BBC Indonesia.

The family could not be immediately contacted by AFP.

The Jakarta Post reported that Sinaga was born in Sumatra's Jambi province but spent time in Depok on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. "He never misbehaved. He never even treated his friends with disrespect. That's why the news was such a shock to all of his friends," the woman, who did not want to be identified, told Singapore media outlet Channel NewsAsia.

"No one knew how this sweet, quiet, kind friend of ours turned into a monster capable of committing such heinous crimes," she added.

Sinaga's first trial began in mid-2018. The last ended last December. None could be reported until restrictions imposed to avoid prejudicing juries were lifted on Monday.

He is thought to have used sedatives to render his victims unconscious before filming the attacks. Most knew nothing about the assaults. He was caught only when one victim woke up

He reportedly moved to Britain in 2007 to take a master's degree in sociology and later pursued a PhD at Leeds University.

Media reports said he was the eldest of four siblings who hailed from a wealthy Catholic family.

A University of Indonesia classmate said she was shocked at his crimes.

"The most prolific rapist ever tried in a British court has today been jailed for life after drugging and assaulting 48 men, following the largest prosecution of its kind in the Crown Prosecution Service's history," the CPS on Monday said in a statement.

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A judge on Monday ruled that following four separate trials he must serve a minimum of 30 years in jail.

"His extreme sense of sexual entitlement almost defies belief and he would no doubt still be adding to his staggering tally had he not been caught," said Ian Rushton, a government prosecutor.

"Sinaga's unthreatening demeanour duped these young men - many of whom thanked him for his kindness in offering them a place to stay - into thinking this monster was a Good Samaritan."