A ‘MONSTER’ who raped five women during a three-year reign of terror has been jailed for life for his campaign of sexual abuse.

Tom Rodwell met his victims through social media before going on to systematically rape and abuse them.

The harrowing details of his devastating abuse was laid bare in court when some of his victims bravely spoke of the ordeal they endured at his perverted hands.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 31-year-old pleaded guilty to a number of rapes over a three period several years ago.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said: “The defendant, using social media, would contact a number of single young women and once in contact with them, he would physically and sexually abuse them.

“In addition to the physical and sexual abuse, he would psychologically manipulate them and in some cases make them feel worthless. The effect on the victims is clear in the VPSs.

“It is clear that the defendant was sexually aroused by carrying out physical violence on these victims. He would also be sexually aroused when carrying out non-consensual sexual activity.”

The Northern Echo: Tom RodwellTom Rodwell

One of his victim’s branded him a monster as she gave a powerful victim personal statement speaking of the horrors she endured even while she was receiving chemotherapy.

Rodwell, of Newfield Court, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to ten counts of rape, an attempted rape and one sexual assault.

He denied an 11th rape charge and three charges of controlling or coercive behaviour and those charges were left on file.

Andrew Turton, in mitigation, said his client accepted that a lengthy custodial sentence was inevitable but urged the judge to take into account his early guilty pleas.

He said Rodwell had more than 100 sexual partners and he had no previous convictions for sexual violence.

Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years in custody.

He said: "You serially raped five women in what can only be described as a campaign of rape. You are a callous and unfeeling sexual predator whose only concern is for your own gratification.

“You paid no regard to the feelings or wishes of the women you raped, particularly if they stood in the way of your own desires.”

Rodwell was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order to protect his victims.

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