Two survivors’ harrowing testimonies helped jail serial rapist Lamarr Manning for 24 years

Two survivors have broken their silence to recount the horrific abuse they endured at the hands of serial rapist Lamarr Manning, who has now been jailed for 24 years — with a minimum of 16 behind bars — following a wave of confessions, secret recordings, and years of mounting evidence.

Behind unremarkable London settings, Manning waged a campaign of terror marked by rape, threats, and psychological control. His victims, Aria and Zuri (not their real names), came forward to expose the scale of his crimes, speaking publicly in a courageous stand for justice, and in the hope that others will find the strength to do the same.

Manning’s abuse was chillingly calculated. He recorded some of his own attacks, with audio capturing him snarling, “So what, I have to grab you?” as a children’s TV show played in the background. That moment, captured amid normal domestic noise, underscored the sinister reality: predators like Manning often hide in plain sight, cloaked in the ordinary.

Aria, one of Manning’s long-term victims, endured an estimated 100 rapes over several years. She was physically beaten, isolated, and subjected to manipulation so severe that she was made to feel responsible for her own torture. One of the most haunting moments came during a miscarriage. Manning raped her as she bled, her life in jeopardy as she was later rushed to hospital. “He took everything from me,” she said. “Even my body when it was shutting down.”

Zuri’s experience began when she was still a teenager. Manning lured her to a flat under false pretences. Once inside, he removed her shoes to prevent escape and threatened her with a knife, forcing her to undress. “If you do not do it, I will stab you,” he hissed — a line that would stay with her for years. Her turning point came when she secretly contacted friends, and later saw, through Manning’s own arrogance, that other women had also been abused. Group chats he created in a bid to defend himself instead became the evidence that connected victims and sparked police action.

The Metropolitan Police labelled Manning one of the force’s highest-risk domestic abusers, noting a pattern of violent, coercive control, breaches of restraining orders, and calculated manipulation. For years, he moved between women, exploiting vulnerability and evading full accountability.

In court, the evidence was overwhelming. Audio clips, texts, and harrowing witness statements painted a picture of systematic, targeted violence. The judge handed Manning a 24-year sentence with an extended licence, ensuring he will remain under strict supervision even if released after his minimum term.

Still, questions remain. Could he have been stopped sooner? Was enough done when the first reports surfaced? For Aria and Zuri, the sentence is only partial justice. What truly matters now, they say, is empowering other women to speak up. “If we can do it,” said Aria, “so can you.”

Their testimonies have brought a dangerous man to justice. But more than that, they’ve sparked a wider conversation about the predators that lurk in everyday life — and the courage it takes to confront them.

As their words echo across the justice system, they leave behind a message that is both harrowing and hopeful: no one is alone, and monsters like Lamarr Manning can be stopped — if we choose to listen.