There’s a sex crime taking place in Soho – it’s ‘Sex/Crime’ the dark comic queer thriller.
Now playing until Feb. 1st, 2020 at the Soho Theatre, ‘Sex/Crime’ had its birth at the Glory bar in Dalston – a venue where shows such as this one are produced. Sex/Crime is a play that explores sex, violence, role-play, fear, drugs, but unfortunately not nudity, as both leads are sexy as hell.
It’s not one to take too seriously, though the dialogue might suggest you do. Jonny Woo and writer Alexis Gregory take us on a ride where man A (Gregory) and man B (Woo) recreate a killing of a famous gay serial killer – for pleasure – and a price, but at what price. Both actors work their damn hardest to entertain, and scare us, as they decide the boundaries of their game – a game that goes a bit too far, all packed into a generous one hour show.
Playing at the Soho Theatre (in the upstairs theatre) gives the show a bit of legitimacy, but it’s still low-brow theatre mostly meant for a small stage of a gay bar. But you can’t knock the energy and sexual chemistry of Gregory and especially sexy daddy Woo – they both alone are the price of admission.
★★★ | The Sunset Limited, Boulevard Theatre, London
A middle-aged white male attempts to get on The Sunset Limited but is stopped by a middle-aged black man.
What is The Sunset Limited? It’s the name of a new play that has just opened at Soho’s fantastic Boulevard Theatre, and it’s also a euphemism for committing suicide.
The white man (English Actor Jasper Britton), is on his daily commute (as described by the actors) when, instead of wanting to go to work, he intentionally wants to jump in front of a subway train pulling into a strangely empty NYC subway station. But he is saved by the black man (an excellent Gary Beadle) who in turn takes him to his run-down apartment to discuss his motive for wanting to commit suicide.”
So the play (written by Cormac McCarthy in 2006) takes place in the black man’s apartment (the two leads are not assigned proper names). So for the next 95 minutes we get to learn a lot about both men. The white man is a professor, an atheist, really hates his father and mother, and has very bad thoughts about all of his fellow commuters – everyday he has had these bad thoughts – and has had them for the past 20 years. The black man is an ex-con who served time for a crime we are not told, he is very religious, and is now the guardian angel to the white man, trying, very determined, to understand why he wanted to end his life. The play also tries to explore the meaning of life and especially the lives of people who have to endure a commute back and forth to work every day. But it also raises questions on the question – are we living the lives we want to lead? And when the show is over, and the black man finally lets the white man leave, what happens next, not just to him but also to the rest of us – back to our daily grind tomorrow, one that we might find depressing, depressing enough to take the Sunset Limited?
Perhaps the white man is everyman – one who is sick and tired of his commute, of the people around him, of his life and of his relationships – just plain miserable as hell.
Writer McCarthy wrote the brilliant ‘The Road’ (which went on to win a Pulitzer Prize, and which was turned into the classic 2009 film), which had themes of suicide and doom, was a brilliant piece of work. The Sunset Limited, apart from very good acting (Beadle is superb) and very good direction (Terry Johnson), is just a bit too thin to really care about the characters (white man is still a mystery to me) and what happens to them next.
The Sunset Limited is now playing at Soho’s Boulevard Theatre until February 29th.
Officers are appealing for witnesses and footage after a match official at last Saturday’s Millwall v Reading match was subjected to homophobic abuse.
The incident happened in the first half of the match at approximately 15.30hrs in the East Stand and is believed to have involved home fans.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or can provide detectives with video footage is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the Public Order Crime Team on 020 8246 9386.
DC Phil Dickinson from the Met’s Public Order Crime Team, said,
“We take any allegation of abuse very seriously and are investigating this matter. If anyone was at last Saturday’s game and witnessed the incident, or has video footage of it, I would urge them to come forward to assist us in our investigation.”
Down a tiny little street in the heart of Soho is a building that is so under the radar and discreet that you’d never know it was a hotel.
With a sculpture of “Selene” standing proud on its facade, protecting it from the outside world, The Nadler Hotel is a calm oasis. Once you step inside you are totally immersed in peace and quiet, a world away from what is right outside the front door. Yet The Nadler Hotel is in the heart of everything, and while it does not offer any extra amenities or bells and whistles that most hotels offer (restaurant, spa, bar), this is because everything is right on your doorstep, seconds away.
At the very west end of Carlisle Street, west of Soho Square, is The Nadler Hotel, on a dead end road, where dozens of bars and restaurants, and Oxford Street, are very close by. While people hustle hurriedly past the hotel on their way to work/play/socialize, as a guest of the hotel, where check-in is seamless, you will appreciate the peace and tranquility past it’s revolving doors. With a whopping 78 rooms, (it doesn’t look that big from the outside), The Nadler Hotel is perfectly suited for those who love to be in the middle of it all.
Choose from several types of rooms, including the King, Superior, Deluxe, or the Carlisle Suite, or a single, small double – any type of room to suit your needs, whether you are on a business trip, bringing the family into town for a West End show, or if you have planned a party weekend to enjoy the sights and sounds of Soho – The Nadler Hotel is the perfect place to stay. Enjoy their pocket-sprung beds, comfy pillows, and rooms where the temperature is adjustable. And if it’s the gay nightlife of Soho you’ve come to London to enjoy, the bars and restaurants are minutes away. So skip the Gentlemen’s Club on the same street and walk, minutes away, to Old Compton Street where loads of gay bars, restaurants and clubs await you. And when you are ready to end the night, you can walk back to the hotel, and not worry about taking the tube, bus or Uber.
The rooms are of high quality, with beds that are so comfortable it’s easy to not want to get out of bed too early the next morning. Spacious rooms, including spacious bathrooms with powerful showers, are waiting for you, along with a comfy robe and slippers, an in-room mini kitchen (which includes a mini-microwave, coffee maker, mini-refrigerator, etc.), work desk with power points, ultrafast WiFi, a safe, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, as well as a big screen television with dozens of channels. But I doubt you will be spending time watching television as The Nadler Hotel offers loads of discounts from local businesses including offers at nearby places to eat and drink (including a free bottle of champagne from Black Roe Poke Bar & Grill and a free cocktail at Chotto Matte), along with free passes to Marshall Street Leisure Centre. Weather and transportation information is also readily available. The Nadler Hotel does offer a minimal room service, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water and snacks, as well as a mini breakfast menu provided by The Daisy Green Collection. They also provide a phone adaptor in case you are from out of the country and have forgotten yours. What was not provided in my room, and should’ve been, was pen and paper, while the bathtub stopper was a bit hard to figure out.
Please find more info on The Nadler Soho’s partners here
And the damage for all this luxury and location? For a weekend in January a small double would be £240.00 per night in a room that sleeps two people. If you need more space, and a room a bit bigger, then a King/Twin goes for £276.00. A similar room at a hotel seconds away would set you back £348.00. If you want to splash the cash and impress your partner, then a deluxe would set you back £357.00. A room at the same similar hotel seconds away goes for £408 per night. Booking is easy. Just go to the website, choose which Nadler Hotel you want to stay in, choose your dates, and then you are set and good to go for your time in Soho!
With four sites in London (Soho, Victoria, Kensington and Covent Garden), and one in Liverpool, each property has been carefully designed to offer stylish accommodation that delivers on design, comfort and convenience in the heart of London’s main hubs. Specially trained front of house ‘Local Ambassadors’ provide suggestions and expert advice on the area, based on a your preferences.
For more information and to book a room, please go here:
16th January 2020
Rainbow Crossing unveiling outside Brent Civic Centre
Photographer: Justin Thomas
Not one, but six Rainbow crossings for the London Borough of Brent to celebrate Brent’s Year of Culture.
The first of six rainbow crossings has landed in Wembley Park, just ten minutes down the road from George Michael’s former school, Kingsbury High School. The crossings are a timely celebration of LGBT+ communities as the London borough kicks off its year of culture. The Mayor of Brent joined members of the organisation’s LGBT+ network, Councillors and Chief Executive Carolyn Downs at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday 16 January.
16th January 2020
Rainbow Crossing unveiling outside Brent Civic Centre
Photographer: Justin Thomas
Over the coming year, Brent Council will install another five of these colourful pedestrian crossings across the borough.
Based on the Pride flag, the crossings signal inclusion and support for LGBT+ communities in Brent and beyond, many of whom still experience discrimination and violence.
Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of Brent Council, said: “Outward signs are important in signalling an inclusive environment for LGBT+ communities. With these rainbow crossings, we are showing our true colours as an open, diverse and accepting borough. The Borough of Cultures where everybody’s story is celebrated.”
Brent is The Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture for 2020.
A year-long programme will explore the stories, art and emotions that hold life in Brent together, uncovering and celebrating its untold tales and unheard voices.
There has been a drop in new HIV transmissions between 2014 and 2018, across the UK, a new report has found.
New data showing substantial progress on reducing HIV rates in the capital has been welcomed by London Councils.
National figures released today by Public Health England highlight that HIV diagnoses have fallen faster in London than elsewhere. In 2014, London accounted for half of new diagnoses in gay and bisexual men. The latest data shows this was reduced to 39% by 2018.
The drop in national HIV transmission rates has been especially large among men who have sex with men, with a 73% fall between 2014 and 2018. The number of new HIV diagnoses in people who acquired HIV heterosexually has almost halved over the past decade from 3,400 in 2009 to 1,940 in 2018.
The steepest declines were in London residents, in those aged 25 to 34 years, in persons of black African ethnicity, and those born abroad.
Combination of preventions is to thank for the decline
Public Health England points to the success of the combination prevention approach – which includes the use of condoms, regular HIV testing, starting antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible if HIV positive, and taking the HIV prevention medicine PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) if HIV negative.
Combination prevention is promoted in the capital through the London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP). The programme, which is funded collaboratively by London boroughs, has been providing HIV testing and condom distribution across the city through its sexual health promotion service since 2014. The LHPP also delivers the pan-London multi-media HIV prevention awareness campaign ‘Do It London’.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, said, “This data shows that London is making excellent progress in tackling HIV.
“We’re incredibly proud of the contribution made by the boroughs’ collaborative London HIV Prevention Programme and the Do It London campaign. By working efficiently and effectively together on this public health challenge, boroughs ensure clear and consistent messages are communicated to Londoners about the importance of testing and protection.”
Paul Steinberg, lead commissioner of the London HIV Prevention Programme, said, “Today’s report is further evidence of London leading the way on HIV prevention.
“The capital has made very significant progress in reducing HIV in the last decade, which is testament to everyone involved in ending the epidemic. Our world-class NHS services, alongside community-based initiatives including the boroughs’ London HIV Prevention Programme, have played a crucial role in achieving that progress.
“The cross-borough innovation and collaboration by the boroughs on HIV since 2014 is paying dividends, with London’s HIV strategy now regarded around the world as a success story.
“Further challenges remain. We must continue our efforts to reduce late diagnosis, to raise awareness of HIV among our key communities and to diagnose the 2,100 people who are currently living with HIV but are unaware of their status. We’re committed to continuing this progress and achieving zero new HIV diagnoses in London by 2030.”
London is a member of the worldwide Fast-Track Cities initiative and became one of the first global cities to meet the UN’s ambitious HIV diagnosis and treatment targets. London has pledged to achieve three key HIV goals by 2030: zero new transmissions, zero deaths, and zero stigma.
For the perfect, Pita , Mezze or Salad in the West End, you can’t beat Fafa’s
Open only for four months, Fafa’s is on the cozy corner where Neal and Monmouth streets converge to face Shaftsbury Avenue. It’s a busy intersection and it’s easy to walk past Fafa’s, but please don’t. Pop in and you’ll be rewarded with very good food with prices that are very affordable.
If it’s a quick meal you want, Fafa’s is perfect. The food comes in three choices: Pita, Salad, or Mezze box. The Pita options are falafel and meat or fish. I tried the Short Rib, with harissa and beetroot. It had a bit of a zing to it but it was a nice portion of Short Rib stuffed into the pita, very good and good value for £8.50. My friend had the Falafel Mezze Box which included several ingredients including aubergine, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, tabbouleh, and a bit of chilli. At £7.50 it’s a good deal if you’re not starving but need food prior to a show or an event. Chicken breast, grilled shrimp or Fafa’s burger can be added for a small supplement to the mezze box.
Pitas are offered with several options including chicken liver with caramelized onion, chicken breast with tahini, Fafa’s Burger, tahini and aubergine, grilled shrimp, harissa and tzatziki (both at £8.50), and roasted salmon, harissa and tzatziki (£9). There is lots of variety to choose from!
There are also salad options. Goats cheese, beetroot and pesto salad (£ 8), halloumi salad as well as chicken tabbouleh salad (both at £8.70).
The yummy sides include Sweet Potato Fries with Tzatziki sauce, (ask for no salt to taste the real flavour of these), the Halloumi Strips with Harissa. These were absolutely superb and cooked to perfection – I’ve never tasted Halloumi Strips as good as these! a must. Other options include Fries with Beetroot Ketchup, Roast Vegetables, and Falafel and Tahini.
Fafa’s has the best selection of drinks I’ve ever seen in a small cafe – it’s mind boggling with so much to chose from. Non-alcoholic choices include Char Tea, Square Root, Crooked, and Belvoir, to alcoholic drinks such as Eden Mill, Nice (wine), and Metroland (beer) – excellent selections.
You can’t beat the location, the food, and the prices at Fafa’s.co.uk. Don’t rush by, go in and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Gemma Watts has been jailed for eight years after being sentenced at Winchester Crown Court.
A deceitful woman who pretended to be a young boy online so she could groom young teenage girls from around the country has been jailed.
Gemma Watts, 21 (18.09.98) from Pembroke Avenue, Enfield has been sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty at the same court on 28 November 2019 to:
– Assault by penetration (Section 2 of the Sexual Offence Act 2003) – victim 1;
– Sexual Assault, (Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 1;
– Meeting a child following sexual grooming (Section 15 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 1;
– Sexual Assault, (Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 2;
– Meeting a child following sexual grooming (Section 15 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 2;
– Meeting a child following sexual grooming (Section 15 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 3;
– Sexual Assault, (Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) – victim 4.
Watts was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was made subject to a life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Phillipa Kenwright, who was the Met’s Safeguarding Lead for the case, said , “In this particular case, Watts targeted her young victims on social media platforms and duped them into believing they were entering into a relationship with someone whom they could trust.
“She then went on to form physical relationships in which she spun a web of lies and deceit, giving her the opportunity to commit sexual offences.
“Her arrest, and now lengthy prison sentence, has prevented her from targeting further victims, but I hope that it also gives reassurance to other victims of sexual exploitation that offenders will be brought to justice. I encourage them to come forward and speak to us.
“I am delighted with the sentence that the Judge has passed today and hope it acts as a warning to others intent on exploiting and manipulating children online, that they will be dealt with robustly.”
Watts created an “elaborate web of deception”
Following a joint operation by the Met and Hampshire Constabulary, it was established that Watts had spun a bizarre and elaborate web of deception by inventing a fictional alias ‘Jake Watton’. She used this profile to groom teenage girls she met through social media sites and then sexually assault them.
Watts contacted her victims through social messaging apps, Facebook, Snapchat, Yubo and Instagram, under the alias of 16-year-old Jake Waton or Jake Watton.
Watts exchanged messages with her victims, obtaining their trust before meeting them and committing a number of serious sexual offences.
Hampshire Police contacted officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime unit informing them an investigation had been launched after receiving reports from a medical professional that a 14-year-old girl (victim 1) had reported being sexually assaulted by her boyfriend ’Jake Waton’ in April 2018.
She used various aliases, including “Jake Waton”
The investigation showed that ‘Jake Waton’ was actually an adult female called Gemma Watts. Further research by officers identified another two victims, both under 18, (victim 2 and victim 3) who also reported being groomed and sexually assaulted by Watts under her alias.
Officers executed a search warrant at Watts’ home address in July 2018 and arrested her for a number of serious sexual offences.
During interview, she admitted to grooming the victims whilst pretending to be ‘Jake Waton’ and partially admitted a number of the assaults. Watts was bailed to allow further enquiries to be completed.
It was later established that she continued to groom young females whilst on police bail and was re-arrested in October 2018 in West Midlands when she was found with a 15-year-old missing girl (victim 4). The victim reported to officers that she had been sexually assaulted by Watts.
In November 2018, officers from the Met obtained an interim Sexual Risk Order from Stratford Magistrates’ Court which allowed Watts to be closely monitored by officers to prevent her from re-offending until charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Hampshire. A final Sexual Risk Order was obtained on 2 May 2019 and Watts was charged on 12 September 2019.
PC Nicola Benson, from Hampshire Constabulary’s Missing and Exploited Team, said , “The level of manipulation and deceit used by Watts to snare her victims, in this case, was truly shocking. Children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation online with increased use of social media apps, and there is a real risk that any contact with a stranger online can lead to a child meeting an offender in person.
“This case demonstrates the stark reality of that, and it is astonishing the lengths that Watts went to, to ensure she could abuse these girls.
“I am pleased that Watts has now received a custodial sentence, and I would like to commend the bravery of the girls and their families who found the courage to come forward and make this happen. I want them to know that they are not in any way to blame for this, and hope they can now move on from this ordeal.
“I would also like to thank officers from West Midlands Police, Devon & Cornwall Police, Kent Police and the Metropolitan Police for their involvement in this complex and lengthy investigation.”
Anyone who has any information that could help lead to an arrest, or protect a child from online abuse, is asked to call 999. Alternatively, they should contact the NSPCC or Internet Watch Foundation (https://www.iwf.org.uk/).
Detective Inspector Mark Rogers, from the Met, added, “Thankfully, these type of crimes are rare. However, it is important that parents, guardians and everyone who works with young people takes an interest in what children are doing on the internet and educates them about the risks associated with using social media.
“The internet is a fantastic resource enabling young people to socialise and learn. Unfortunately, it can also be used by predatory offenders to target children. We will robustly investigate any child sex offences committed online, and I would urge any young person who has experienced unsolicited contact to report it to police.”
PC Maria Carrick, Hampshire Constabulary’s Education and Youth Engagement Coordinator, said ,“Young people are vulnerable to exploitation online, and in serious and worrying cases, adults pose as young people to groom and exploit them into engaging in sexual activity online, or trick them into meeting with the intention of physically causing sexual harm.
“This is what makes prevention so important and why we continue to actively work with young people, schools, parents and youth partners in a joined up approach to educate whole communities about the risks children face online, and the impact this can have on them and their families.
“We encourage parents and teachers not to be afraid to talk to children about their activities on social media and explain the importance of privacy, and thinking before uploading content online to help prevent them from becoming victims or perpetrators. This is key to developing young people’s trust and confidence to talk to you, someone else they trust or to report if they’re concerned about inappropriate contact they’ve had online.”
Police are looking to speak to this man after a 13-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted at an ice rink in Manchester.
According to cops in Manchester, at around 6 pm on Tuesday 23 April 2019, a 13-year-old boy reported that he been sexually assaulted in the public toilets of Planet Ice (formerly called Altrincham Ice Rink) on Oakfield Road, Altrincham.
The victim left the toilet cubicle to go wash his hands and was confronted by a man who sexually assaulted him by the washbasins.
Police Constable Neil Murphy, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “An assault of this nature is completely unacceptable and has left a young boy feeling violated in what should have been a safe environment.
“I appreciate that this incident took place a while ago, but I would like to stress that we have been following every line of enquiry available to us and trawling through several CCTV opportunities. As a result, we have been able to release these images in the hope of talking to the man pictured.
“If anyone has any information that could help us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at the very earliest opportunity.”
Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 referring to incident number 2080 of 23/04/2019 or alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Nutcracker needs little introduction, and tells the story of Clara who is whisked away to a magical land by the Nutcracker Prince to celebrate the defeat of the Rat King. This traditional ballet retains virtually all of its charm and Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score remains a musical treat.
Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet return with their annual tour of classic pieces, presented very much in the archetypal style of traditional ballet, with tutu’s and tights aplenty, a static set of rather plain backdrops, a virtually non-existent use of props and a dance space which allowed the performance to flood the stage with a bevy of dancers.
Aside from the fixed grins, slightly loose synchronicity and a few heavy footfalls, the quality of performance in this tour seems to be much better than previous ones, with the cast putting in their all and some nimble and impressive dancing nestled amongst the rather safe choreography. It is not the most luxurious production you will see, but it remains functional and allows for the focus to be on the performances and music.
With an easily followed narrative and the second act consisting primarily of short set pieces, the ballet progresses at a pleasing pace, making it a great starting place for ballet novices and families with younger children.
Overall, the show is a pleasant and undemanding evening at the theatre, which remains firmly rooted in the traditional style. There is nothing innovative, ground-breaking or new in this production, but if you are seeking a very traditionally performed, accessible ballet in the classic style, then the St Petersburg Classic Ballet could well be just what you are looking for.
Horrifying details have come to light after the UK’s “most prolific” rapist is jailed in Manchester. He will serve a minimum of 30 years for his crimes.
A serial rapist who filmed himself attacking his victims after drugging them at his home in Manchester has been jailed.
Reynhard Sinaga (19/02/1983), of no fixed address, has today (Monday 6 January 2020) been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of 159 counts of sexual offences against 48 different men. He will serve a minimum of 30 years before being considered for release.
The sentencing – which took place at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square – comes at the conclusion of four separate trials. The 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.
Targetting men who were alone and used GHB to drug them.
During the course of each trial, the court heard how Sinaga would target men who were alone and potentially vulnerable before approaching them in the street.
Sinaga would then strike up a conversation with his intended victim, before 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.
He was unknown to the police, but there might be 190 potential victims
Sinaga was completely unknown to police and his offending – which is believed to have taken place between 2005 and 2017 – only came to light in June 2017, 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.
Including the men that Sinaga has been found guilty of attacking, the investigation team found evidence linking over 190 potential victims to him.
Although the majority of these victims have been identified and provided with specialist support from St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Survivors Manchester, 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.
“Depraved”
Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Reynhard Sinaga is a depraved individual, who targeted potentially vulnerable men that he had spotted walking on their own after a night out.
“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.
“Not much was known about Reynhard Sinaga prior to his final victim telling police of his ordeal and he had never previously come to the attention of GMP with regards to any criminal incidents.
“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.
“I want to be clear that Sinaga is just one appalling individual and he should not be considered as being reflective of any community.
“I do not wish to waste another word on Reynhard Sinaga. Instead, I would now like to pay tribute to his 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 Sinaga.
“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.
“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.
“Finally, I would like to thank the investigation team 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.
“Horrifying video evidence”
Hussain continued,
“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.”
“Brought to justice”
Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, said: “Reynhard Sinaga is a vile individual who preyed upon his victims in a disturbing and depraved manner. Today, he has rightly been brought to justice.
“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.”
Police are still on the lookout for further potential victims
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.
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).
