'Dating app' rapist jailed: Man who raped two women after setting up fake dating accounts on jailed 

A catfisher who raped two women in a forest and then defrauded six others he met by setting up fake accounts on dating apps has been jailed for 16 years.

Jack Lister, 21, appeared in court on Thursday after pleading guilty to fraud, making and possessing indecent images and blackmail.

He had been previously found guilty by a jury of four counts of rape and sexual assault.

The fraud charges relate to a number of incidents between March 2020 and November 2020 when Lister created fake accounts on a number of online dating apps.

During this period Lister, from Downham Market, Norfolk, contacted six different women, some of whom agreed to meet with him.

Lister would encourage the women to send him money on a number of separate occasions, making up scenarios as to why he needed it. 

Jack Lister (pictured), 21, was jailed for 16 years on counts of rape, sexual assault, fraud, making and possessing indecent images and blackmail

Speaking in Norwich Crown Court (pictured), Recorder Guy Ayers said Lister had an ‘appalling attitude towards women’ and represented a significant risk of serious harm to women

He would strike up a personal relationship with the women and get them to send intimate images or videos of them to him.

He would then use these to threaten the victims into sending him money.

Officers received a report on December 18 2020, claiming that Lister had raped a 20-year-old woman in Thetford Forest, Norfolk, after meeting her on an online dating app.

Officers traced a further victim aged 19, who disclosed that she too had been raped by Lister in an area of Thetford Forest in August 2020.

Lister’s mobile phone was searched and a number of indecent images and extreme pornography was discovered.

Lister was arrested in August 2021 and was later charged with rape, fraud, sexual assault, making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

On Thursday was sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison with an additional four years on extended licence at Norwich Crown Court, Norfolk.

Passing an extended sentence made up of 16 years custody and four years on licence, Recorder Guy Ayers said Lister had an ‘appalling attitude towards women’ and represented a significant risk of serious harm to women.

He said Lister had also ‘targeted’ women ‘extracted’ money from them and had ‘no respect for them whatsoever’.

Investigating officer DC James Smith said: ‘Lister’s actions will have a lasting impact on the victims, who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court.