A former X-Factor contestant has been jailed for life after he launched “calm and calculated” sex attacks on nine women over a 22-year period.

Serial rapist Phillip Blackwell, whose X-Factor audition was broadcast in the 2008 series, was sentenced for life with a minimum term of nine years at Warwick Crown Court today.

At previous court hearings Blackwell, of Western Road, Launceston, pleaded guilty to 31 sex offences, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, assault by penetration, voyeurism and false imprisonment.

The 56-year-old had taped some of his victims’ eyes and used a camcorder to film himself attacking young women after launching his first assault in 1997.

The court heard how Blackwell “carefully targeted” five young vulnerable women who were walking alone in Birmingham, Coventry and Nuneaton.

The sentencing judge on Monday described Blackwell as “monstrous” – adding: “Murderers aside, I can think of no more dangerous an individual that I have crossed in my 35 years in criminal law”.