London PhD student drugged, filmed and raped dozens of women; gets life term

In one of the UK’s most shocking sex crime cases, a London-based PhD student was sentenced to life in prison for raping dozens of unconscious men. The scale, planning, and brutality of the crimes have left communities and legal authorities stunned.

A Double Life Hidden Behind Academia

Reynhard Sinaga, an Indonesian national studying for a PhD at the University of Leeds and living in Manchester, led a chilling double life. By day, he appeared to be a quiet academic. By night, he targeted vulnerable men. Between 2015 and 2017, he drugged, raped, and filmed dozens of them. Police believe he may have assaulted over 200 victims.

How the Attacks Happened

Sinaga used a calculated method. He would wait near bars and nightclubs in Manchester in the early morning hours. When he saw drunk or disoriented men walking alone, he approached them. Pretending to offer help, he invited them back to his apartment. Once inside, he gave them drinks spiked with sedatives like GHB.

As the victims passed out, Sinaga assaulted them and recorded the abuse using his phone. Later, he stored the videos in folders labeled with their names or personal descriptions.

How He Was Caught

The truth came to light in 2017 when one victim woke up during the assault. He fought Sinaga off and called the police. Officers arrested Sinaga on the spot. What they found next was horrifying.

Police recovered hundreds of hours of footage showing the attacks. Forensic experts also found notes where Sinaga had logged details about each victim. Most of the men had no idea they had even been attacked until investigators contacted them.

Victims Left Traumatised

The victims experienced deep psychological trauma after learning what had happened. Many had believed they had simply had too much to drink. Some were devastated to discover they were filmed while unconscious.

One man said, “It broke me. I didn’t know I’d been attacked until the police told me. I couldn’t sleep or focus for months.”

Another survivor shared, “It wasn’t just a crime against my body. It shattered my sense of safety.”

Court Trial and Sentencing

Manchester Crown Court held four separate trials between 2018 and 2020. The court found Sinaga guilty of 136 rapes, 8 attempted rapes, 14 sexual assaults, and 2 assaults by penetration. In total, the trials covered 48 identified victims, but investigators say the real number is likely much higher.

The judge described Sinaga as a “dangerous predator” and gave him a life sentence. He must serve at least 30 years before being considered for parole.

Police Response and Public Warning

Greater Manchester Police called the case “the worst sexual offending in UK legal history.” They launched a public campaign warning people about drink-spiking and urged bars to adopt better safety measures.

Officers praised the bravery of the victims who came forward. They also encouraged others to report any suspicious experiences, no matter how minor they seemed.

University Condemns the Crimes

The University of Leeds expressed shock over the case. In a statement, it said, “These crimes are horrifying. We offer our full support to the victims and condemn all forms of sexual violence.”

University officials confirmed that Sinaga’s academic work had no connection to the offences and that he acted entirely on his own.

Shedding Light on Male Sexual Assault

This case forced the public to acknowledge a topic often ignored: male sexual assault. Many victims were straight men who never imagined they could be targets. The trauma they experienced challenges harmful myths around masculinity and victimhood.

Charities supporting male survivors reported a rise in calls after the case became public. They said more men felt encouraged to speak up and seek help.

What Needs to Change

This case sparked national discussions around safety, nightlife culture, and justice. Advocates are calling for stronger laws to punish predators who use drugs to commit assault. Others urge better education in schools to teach young people about consent, safety, and respect.

It’s also clear that support for victims—regardless of gender—must improve. More resources, faster reporting systems, and trauma-informed care are essential.

Final Thoughts

Reynhard Sinaga’s conviction exposed one of the most disturbing sex crime cases in the UK’s history. His sentencing brought some justice, but for the victims, healing may take years.

While the legal system responded firmly, this case reminds us that predators can hide behind ordinary appearances. As a society, we must stay alert, support survivors, and create safer spaces where crimes like these become unthinkable.