A rapist feared to have attacked 195 men has cost taxpayers £400,000 in legal aid – and the bill could DOUBLE.
Reynhard Sinaga, who is from a wealthy Indonesian family, was granted cash to cover defence costs at four trials. He was convicted of 159 attacks on 48 men but police fear the toll of victims is nudging 200.
His final victim – an 18-year-old rugby player – said: “People will be outraged by this.
“He’s always had his dad’s money. But when it comes to the court cases he gets taxpayers’ money. There are people desperate for help who don’t get legal aid.”
The £399,062 spent, revealed in a Freedom of Information request, covered two trials.
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The bill for the third and fourth trials has yet to be calculated – but could also be £400,000.
In 2017 Sinaga, 36, got £193,686 for lawyers at crown court. A further £205,376 was paid in 2018 and there was £1,953 to cover solicitors at police stations. Sinaga’s dad owns several branches of a bank in Indonesia.
His family paid for his UK student fees for over 10 years and the Manchester flat where he lured victims.
But he got legal aid because the family’s wealth is held overseas.
Sinaga got a minimum 30 years’ jail. He targeted clubbers, drugging them and filming his rape attacks.
The Sunday Mirror told last month how his reign of evil only ended after his final victim woke during his ordeal, battered Sinaga and called police.
The Legal Aid Agency said: “Anyone facing a crown court trial is eligible for legal aid, subject to a strict means test.”
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