A MAN has been handed nine life sentences after he raped, humiliated and controlled women for over two decades.

Simon Wiggins, who used to live in Dudley, was jailed on January 6, following a painstaking investigation by Northamptonshire Police.

He committed his crimes over a period of 21 years, during which time he terrorised women with violent, controlling and humiliating behaviour.

The 48-year-old first came to the attention of police in August 2018 after a woman reported being assaulted by him.

Officers attended the woman's home in Northamptonshire and found that Wiggins had repeatedly assaulted and raped her throughout their relationship.

Northamptonshire Police launched an investigation, which led to police finding two more victims and the full extent of of Wiggins’ violent, humiliating and controlling behaviour was exposed.

As a result of the investigation, Wiggins was found guilty of 14 offences by a jury on November 14, 2019.

On Monday, January 6, he was handed nine life sentences and will have to serve a minimum of nine years and 250 days in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Judge Rebecca Crane said during sentencing: “Any woman in a relationship with you is at serious risk.

“All three of these women have spoken of their fear that you would kill them one day. You do not have an understanding of what consent means and have shown no remorse throughout this process.”

DC James Harvey, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly, I would like to commend these three women for the exceptional bravery they have shown throughout this investigation. I hope this sentence provides them with some sense of justice regarding the absolutely terrifying ordeals they had to endure at the hands of this very dangerous and depraved man.

“In court we heard how both physically and psychologically traumatised these women still are. All three of them suffer from insomnia and nightmares - the impact Simon Wiggins has had on their lives simply cannot be put into words.

“The fact that they came forward, detailed what happened to them and supported our investigation throughout has taken courage of the highest order. To this day they don’t realise how brave they have been.

"I am very pleased to see Simon Wiggins handed a lengthy prison sentence where he is no longer able to pose a risk to women."