Middlesbrough rapist Tom Rodwell to have sentence reviewed

Tom Rodwell was "only interested in his own gratification", Judge Paul Watson said

A "sexual predator" who raped five women he met on dating app Tinder is to have his jail sentence reviewed to determine whether it was too lenient.

Tom Rodwell was sentenced earlier in January to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years.

The 31-year-old from Middlesbrough had previously admitted 10 rapes, one attempted rape and a sexual assault.

The Attorney General's office confirmed it had received a referral to look at the case.

The request had been made under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme and officials had 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision, a spokesperson said.

Sentencing Rodwell at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Paul Watson described him as a "callous, unfeeling sexual predator" who was "addicted to a sense of power" and only interested in his own gratification.

He said Rodwell was a "significant danger" to women and had left his victims with "long-lasting emotional scars which would take years to heal".

Wanted to 'own her'

The court heard he raped the five women on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2020.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said he "did not realise or seem to care that he needed consent".

One victim said Rodwell had wanted to "own her" and "choke her", the court heard.

Det Con Rick Sainsbury, from Cleveland Police's domestic abuse unit, said Rodwell initially came across as "perfect partnership material".

The victims, some of whom were university students, were not just physically abused by Rodwell but also manipulated emotionally, leaving some to believe they were to blame for his violence.

During the hearing it emerged that the former Royal Navy and HMRC employee, who had no previous convictions, faced similar charges in Scotland in 2018 but was acquitted.