Muhammad Ans, a 29-year-old man who used dating apps to target and rape women, has been jailed for 20 years with an additional three years on extended licence. The sentence was handed down at Plymouth Crown Court after Ans admitted to raping three women he met on Bumble, Badoo and Tinder between 2023 and 2025.
How the attacks unfolded
Ans met his first victim on Bumble at the end of 2023. After a seemingly innocent meal, he took her back to his Coventry flat and raped her. In early 2024, he struck again, meeting a second victim on the Baddoo app after moving to Tavistock. He drove her to his flat, where he raped her despite her explicitly saying no.
Shockingly, Ans messaged the first victim again in August 2024, trying to meet up as if nothing had happened. When she challenged him, he apologised and offered to take her shopping and for meals. He made similar offers to the second victim, who declined and reported him to police.
Police investigation and third victim
Detective Constable Craig Ferguson was assigned to the case. Ans was tracked down in Leeds after fleeing Tavistock. He denied the offences during questioning, claiming all sexual contact was consensual and that his apologetic messages were 'confusion on his part'. He was released on bail with conditions.
In August 2025, a third victim came forward. She had matched with Ans on Tinder, gone for drinks, and returned home where he raped her. Forensic examination of Ans's phone revealed messages to the first victim, leading to further charges.
Victim impact statements
All three victims gave testimony at sentencing. The first victim said: 'I rarely slept, and when I did, nightmares accompanied me. My anxiety was through the roof, supplemented by intrusive thoughts, intense nausea, and debilitating panic attacks.' She called Ans a 'dangerous and predatory man'.
The second victim stated: 'People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley... but Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile.' She described him as a 'rapist monster'.
The third victim said: 'The impact of these events has affected almost every aspect of my life. I feel that he is a risk to women.'
Sentencing remarks
Judge Matthew Turner KC said each victim was in 'a vulnerable position' when Ans committed his crimes. He noted that Ans's failure to acknowledge his behaviour was 'deeply troubling' and showed a 'single-minded pursuit of your own sexual gratification'. Ans was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
DC Ferguson commended the victims' bravery, adding: 'Ans is a sexual predator who targeted these women on dating sites with the sole purpose of meeting up with them for sex.' He revealed Ans had offered one victim $3,000 in compensation if she would 'leave it', but she refused and provided screenshots as evidence.
