Two serial rapists who committed "some of the worst and most violent" sexual offences in English legal history may die behind bars if they are given whole life tariffs at a Court of Appeal hearing next month.

Joseph McCann, 35, was given 33 life sentences at the Old Bailey in December for a string of horrific sex attacks on 11 women and children during a 15-day cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage.

Reynhard Sinaga, 37, was also sentenced to life in January at Manchester Crown Court for a total of 159 offences, including 136 counts of rape, committed against 48 men – although police have linked him to more than 190 potential victims.

The Attorney General’s Office has referred the 30-year minimum jail terms handed to McCann and Sinaga to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient" and will argue they should each have received a whole life tariff instead.

A spokeswoman for the judiciary confirmed on Tuesday that the challenges to McCann and Sinaga’s sentences, which were originally due to take place in March but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, would be heard over two days on October 14 and 15.

Watford Observer:

Joseph McCann pictured on CCTV at the Phoenix Lodge in St Albans Road, Watford, with two women he'd abducted just yards away. Credit: Met Police

Solicitor general Michael Ellis QC will argue at the hearing that McCann and Sinaga should both have been given a whole life tariff for a litany of sexual offences, which are "some of the worst and most violent that this country has ever witnessed".

The hearing, which will test whether a whole life order can be imposed in non-homicide cases, will also be the first time two separate offenders' sentences have been challenged together as being unduly lenient.

McCann carried out a series of sex attacks in London, Watford, and north west England in April and May 2019, just two months after the convicted burglar was wrongly freed from prison following “major failings” by probation staff.

Watford Observer:

Joseph McCann. Credit: Met Police

His first victim was a woman walking home from a club in Watford, before he later abducted women in Walthamstow and Edgware.

After the women abducted in London escaped in North Watford, McCann fled up north where he continued his crimes.

He was found guilty in December of 37 charges relating to 11 victims, aged between 11 and 71, and was described by the sentencing judge, Mr Justice Edis, as a "classic psychopath".

Read more: Joseph McCann given 33 life sentences

Read more: Probation staff 'repeatedly failed' to recall serial rapist Joseph McCann to prison

Sinaga – the UK’s most prolific serial rapist – preyed on lone, drunk young men around nightclubs near his flat in Manchester, posing as a Good Samaritan who offered them a floor to sleep on or promised them more drink.

Watford Observer:

Reynhard Sinaga. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

The Indonesian student drugged the men then filmed himself sexually violating them while they were unconscious, with many of his victims having little or no memory of the assaults.

Judge Suzanne Goddard QC, who sentenced him to a minimum of 30 years, described Sinaga as "an evil serial sexual predator" and a "monster".