Britain’s worst rapist is a “narcissist and a psychopath” who offended “with impunity” for more than a decade – that’s according to a detective who spent years working to jail the predator.
Detective Inspector Zaheer Ali is one of several people interviewed in a new Manchester Evening News podcast about the serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga.
During the one-off documentary podcast we speak to the detectives at the forefront of the investigation and discuss the facts heard in four crown court trials before Sinaga was jailed for life.
International student Sinaga, 36, was a cunning and practiced predator who stalked the streets of Manchester hunting for victims.
He lured dozens of men back to his city centre flat where he raped them and filmed the encounters on two iPhones.
He was jailed for life back in January and must serve 30 years behind bars before he can be considered for release.
In an exclusive interview with the M.E.N, DI Ali - who led a team of detectives who investigated Sinaga over two years - described the rapist as “a psychopath”.
He said: “Had he not been a narcissist and a psychopath, anybody else faced with such damning evidence would have admitted to what they’ve done.”
He added: “He’s offended with impunity for a decade.
“He’s now convinced himself either that he is innocent or that it doesn’t matter because he’s got what he wanted for so long.”
Listen to the full, exclusive podcast here:
Or listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Indonesian student Sinaga, who has lived in Manchester since 2007, drugged and raped 44 men and sexually assaulted a further four during a campaign of rape that lasted more than two years.
But detectives believe the true number of victims is actually 195, based on the hundreds of hours of video footage Sinaga filmed during the attacks.
Sinaga lured drunk men back to his apartment in Manchester city centre before lacing their drinks with GHB and raping them while they were unconscious.
During the podcast the M.E.N also speaks to Duncan Craig, CEO of Survivors Manchester - a charity which works to help male victims of rape and sexual abuse.
He hopes the case will break down the stigma around male rape and make people more aware of personal safety.
He said: “We've said before, Manchester's had more than its fair share of trauma.
“We've bounced back and we will bounce back from this. We’ll be a stronger city, we’ll be a more sturdy, stable and resilient city. But what I love about Manchester the most is that Manchester looks after its own and, without a doubt, this is a case where Manchester is standing with these men.”
Anyone who thinks they may have been affected by Sinaga’s crimes can pass information to police via the online Major Incident Public Portal here or by calling 101.
The MIPP will also provide contact details for support agencies to anyone who accesses it.
Anyone who wishes to seek support but does not want to talk to police can contact St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.
Survivors Manchester - a charity that works with male victims of rape and sexual assault - can also be contacted on 0161 236 2182.
The National Male Survivors Helpline can be contacted on 0808 800 5005.
