Basingstoke 2016-10-31

Romeo Cummins 52

A rapist who filmed himself attacking unconscious women has had his "unduly lenient" prison sentence extended.

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Offender ID: O-0399

Locations

Fountains Close, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24

Description

A rapist who filmed himself attacking unconscious women has had his "unduly lenient" prison sentence extended.

Romeo Cummins, 44, of Basingstoke, Hampshire, was originally jailed for 13 and a half years - and would have been eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.

He admitted 16 counts of rape, sexual assault and five drugs offences.

The Court of Appeal increased his term to life with a minimum of nine years - with no automatic right of release.

Police said Cummins had more than 100 videos of him attacking unconscious victims on his phone.

'Pleased with the sentence'

He was arrested in possession of crack cocaine, heroin and sleeping tablets in Aldershot in February.

When officers examined his phone, they found videos which contained footage of the sexual offences. The attacks took place over the last three years.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP referred Cummins' sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing that it was unduly lenient.

He said: "The original sentence failed to reflect the number of victims; the number of rapes and the period of time over which the offending occurred.

"These were particularly vulnerable women who now have to live with the lasting psychological consequences of his actions."

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "It was clear from the footage that the women might not have known they had been sexually assaulted."

Det Sgt Lisa Cronin said: "We are very pleased with the sentence delivered today.

"It is an accurate reflection of the nature of Cummins' offending and the impact it has had on his victims."

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