The judge also criticized Downing's lack of remorse for his actions during trial, in addition to identifying the abuse his victims experienced, which included taking advantage of one of his victims while he was intoxicated and performing oral sex on him. Stirling said that she came to her decision after assessing Downing's "hostility towards women, lack of concern for others, sexual preoccupation and deviant sexual preference."

"You did not show remorse, and you did not identify any impact on your victims," the judge said. "You have been assessed as being at a high risk of sexual reoffending. You have relationship deficits and have been manipulative, as well as showing a callous disregard within your friendship groups. Your offenses are likely to have caused significant psychological and physical harm to all your victims, and their psychological recovery from your actions could be prolonged."

During the trial, the court heard testimony from victims - both male and female- that included Downing sexually preying on them in their teenage years. One victim testified that Downing threatened to make false rape allegations against him if he refused his sexual advances. Another said she was physically and sexually assaulted by Downing after he forced her to heavily drink, court documents show.

Gender-critical activists, such as best-selling author J.K. Rowling, praised Downing's prison sentence, pointing out that it was inevitable given his prior threats. Downing is a radical gender activist who has threatened to violently beat women, including J.K Rowling, who are critical of the gender identity movement and don't toe the line with the extremist trans agenda.