Aylesbury man has minimum jail term increased.
Joseph McCann will now serve life with a minimum of 40 years.
Last updated 11th Dec 2020
Two of Britain’s most prolific sex attackers have had their minimum jail terms increased by the court of appeal.
Reynhard Sinaga and Joseph McCann will now serve life with a minimum of 40 years.
Joseph McCann, 35, was given 33 life sentences at the Old Bailey last December for a string of sex attacks on 11 women and children – one aged 11 – during a 15-day cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage.
Reynard Sinaga, 37, was handed a life sentence at Manchester Crown Court in January after being convicted of more than 150 offences, including 136 counts of rape, committed against 48 men – although police have linked him to more than 190 potential victims.
Both McCann and Sinaga were originally given 30-year minimum jail terms which have now been increased following a hearing that looked at whether there sentencing was 'unduly lenient'.
Following the hearing in London in October a panel of five judges refused to impose whole life terms on McCann and Sinaga, but increased their minimum sentences to 40 years.
Giving the court’s ruling on Friday, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett said:
“The offending in the cases of McCann and Sinaga, very serious indeed though it is, does not, in our judgment, call for either to receive a whole life tariff.
“This is not to minimise the seriousness of their offending but instead to ensure that the most severe sentence in our jurisdiction is reserved, save exceptionally, either for the most serious cases involving loss of life, or when a substantive plan to murder of similar seriousness is interrupted close to fulfilment.”
Lord Burnett said that in the collective experience of the senior judges who heard the case, McCann and Sinaga’s crimes are some of the most serious offences of rape to have been tried within England and Wales.
He added:
“Neither man has shown any remorse and the long-term psychological damage for at least some of the victims in both trials is profound and will only be understood in the years to come.”
The judge said whether either man is in fact ever released from prison will depend on the Parole Board’s assessment of the risk they pose after they have served their minimum jail terms.
In a statement after the ruling, Mr Ellis said:
“Both offenders carried out some of the most heinous and depraved sexual attacks that shocked the nation.
“I am grateful for the guidance the court gave about whole life orders and I am pleased that the court imposed a longer minimum term.
“I hope this brings some solace to the victims of these despicable crimes.”