A VILE rapist has been jailed for 13 years and six months after admitting sexual offences against five women.

Romeo Cummins, 46, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today for sentence having pleaded guilty to 16 counts of rape, one sexual assault and five drugs offences at a previous hearing.

The court heard that between 2013 and 2016, Cummins targeted vulnerable women in north Hampshire.

The offending came to light in February this year when officers arrested Cummins, of Fountains Close, Basingstoke, after he was stopped and searched in Aldershot, the court heard.

He was found in possession of drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin, and sleeping tablets and prescription medicine.

When officers examined his phone, they found more than one hundred videos which contained footage of the sexual offences. It was clear from the footage that the woman might not have known they had been sexually assaulted, the court heard.

The court heard an investigation then began to identify the women involved.

They were offered specialist support from trained officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Amberstone and Hampshire’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

Mr Recorder Michael Bowes QC sentenced Cummins to 13 years and six months.

Detective Constable Paul Jarrett, from Aldershot CID, said: “Today Romeo Cummins has been sentenced for his actions that have spanned over three years.

“He preyed upon vulnerable females convincing them he had their best interests at heart.

“Nothing could have been further from the truth, with him abusing their trust to sexually assault and film what he had done to them, whilst they were in an unconscious state.

“Due to the bravery of his victims, they were able to endure the traumatic experience of being told and shown what he had done to them.

“Their courage has stopped him from continuing his serial sexual abuse and prevented him from doing this to others.”

After the hearing, one of the victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: “When I found out I felt completely numb and sick – I went through a whole range of unpleasant feelings in the space of five minutes.

“Since then I have completely withdrawn. I would like to say I have stayed strong but it’s been a difficult few months.

“I would say to anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual offence to report it. The police are there to help you. I was never made to feel like I was wasting police time.”