The Home Secretary has called for a review into the controls of the illegal "date-rape" drug GHB following the sentencing of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga today.
The Home Secretary Priti Patel asked the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to expedite the review, after Sinaga was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court to serve a minimum term of 30 years.
He was convicted of offences against 48 men, and the court heard he would use the Class C drug GHB to prey on his intoxicated victims and drug and rape them in his flat.
A statement from the Home Secretary is being widely carried by media following today's hearing.
The Home Secretary has extended her "heartfelt sympathy" to his victims and her "gratitude" to police and prosecutors.
She adds that she is "deeply concerned" by the use of illegal drugs like GHB to perpetrate crimes.
GHB known fully as gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, is a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and it is unlawful to possess, supply, produce, import or export this drug except under a Home Office licence.
Those found in possession of the Class C drug can face up to 2 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
The maximum sentence for the supply of a Class C drug is 14 years in prison, or an unlimited fine, or both.
Please see the Home Secretary's full statement below:
Sinaga committed truly sickening crimes and it is right that he has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his victims and my gratitude to the police and prosecutors who worked on this case and put him behind bars.
I’m deeply concerned by the use of illegal drugs like GHB to perpetrate these crimes and have asked the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to expedite a review looking at whether our controls for these drugs are tough enough.