A 29-year-old man has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of multiple rapes of women he met through dating platforms, a case heard at Plymouth Crown Court.
Conviction and sentence
Muhammad Ans, described by police as having no fixed abode, was found guilty after a 14‑day trial of four counts of rape involving three victims. In addition to the custodial term, he will serve a further three years on an extended licence and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
How the offences occurred
The court heard the assaults took place between 2023 and 2025. Devon and Cornwall Police said Ans had a flat in Tavistock and met the women via dating apps including Bumble, Badoo and Tinder. Each of the victims had been seeking meaningful relationships and had set out their boundaries, which the prosecutions said were subsequently breached.
"People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley or in a bush with a knife, that will drag you away and force themselves on you. But Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile."
Another victim told the court: "I had told him 'no', and I had pushed his hands away and pulled my leggings back up. My words meant nothing to him." These statements were heard in evidence during the trial.
Local impact and policing
The sentence will be of particular concern to communities across Devon where dating apps are widely used and where residents may feel vulnerable if they lack experience of meeting strangers in person. The conviction underlines the challenges of intimate‑partner and acquaintance assault investigations, and the importance of specialist support for survivors.
- Court: Plymouth Crown Court
- Defendant: Muhammad Ans, 29
- Convictions: Four counts of rape relating to three victims
- Sentence: 20 years custody + 3 years extended licence; lifetime sex offender registration
- Apps involved: Bumble, Badoo, Tinder (per court evidence)
Support and reporting
Victims of sexual assault locally are encouraged to report incidents to Devon and Cornwall Police or to seek help from specialist agencies. Reporting options include contacting police by calling 101 for non‑emergencies or 999 if someone is in immediate danger. Independent support services offer advocacy, counselling and practical assistance to survivors throughout criminal prosecutions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trial length | 14 days |
| Locations referenced | Plymouth (court), Tavistock (flat) |
| Period of offending | 2023–2025 |
The case emphasises the need for caution when meeting people online, and for continued investment in investigative and victim‑support resources locally. Devon and Cornwall Police provided details of the conviction following the trial; the court's sentence imposes long-term supervision aimed at reducing future risk to the public.
This office will continue to follow developments in how local agencies respond to sexual offending and the provision of services to survivors across Devon.
