[A] SERIAL rapist who committed sex assaults on three different women has been told he faces a “substantial custodial sentence”.
Lee Savage, 25, was said to have been a “plausible and persuasive” man who met victims from Tyneside, Dumfries and Galloway and north Cumbria through the Plenty of Fish dating website.
But after following up initial online contact by meeting the three women separately, Savage raped each of them despite their protests and subjected two of them to additional sexual assaults.
Savage had gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week. But, after a jury was discharged earlier today (TUES) amid legal discussions, he pleaded guilty to five rape charges and five other sex crimes.
“He was a man who,” prosecutor Tim Evans had earlier told jurors, “got his kicks from being violent to – and dominating – women.”
Judge James Adkin adjourned the case, saying: “There will need to be a pre-sentence report for Mr Savage, and an assessment of what risk he may present to others.”
Savage, of Skiddaw View, Penrith, was remanded in custody, is due to be punished on July 20 and learned he would receive a partial discount to his sentence in view of his admissions.
But Judge Adkin told him: “You must understand that nevertheless you still face a substantial custodial sentence.”
