Dramatic second two pupil cops chase down rapist – as trainees are praised for ‘first-rate work’ after park attacker was jailed
This is the dramatic moment two student police officers chased down a rapist in the street after he attacked a woman in a park.
Awalkhan Sultankhail, 24, approached his victim in Small Heath, Birmingham, at around 4pm on August 27 last year.
A court heard he attempted to start a conversation with her, but when she walked away from him, he dragged her into the bushes and raped her.
Sultankhail fled when he was disturbed by a member of the public, who called the police.
As a result of CCTV footage and the brave victim’s detailed description of her attacker, trainee PCs Declan McDevitt and Peter Jones were able to recognise Sultankhail while out on reassurance patrols in the area four days later.
Video footage shows the two officers chasing him, and he was eventually cornered in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and arrested for the attack. The trainees have been praised for their ‘first rate’ police work.
PC Jones said: ‘I was just concentrating on not letting him get away, due to the nature of the offence.
‘I was also concentrated on communicating using my radio to other officers and the control room by letting them know where the suspect was running, in order to get more officers there in case we lost him in the foot chase.
Two student police officers chased down a rapist in the street after he attacked a woman
PCs Declan McDevitt and Peter Jones were able to recognise Sultankhail while out on reassurance patrols in the area four days later
Video footage shows the two trainee officers chasing him
Hhe was eventually cornered in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and arrested for the attack
A court heard Sultankhail attempted to start a conversation with a woman, but when she walked away from him, he dragged her into the bushes and raped her
‘I felt immensely proud of myself and PC McDevitt as we have caught someone who has committed a horrific offence in broad daylight.
‘I went home that day feeling satisfied that I have helped the victim get one step closer to the justice she deserves, and knowing that he won’t be able to commit another offence for a long time.’
Sultankhail initially denied ever speaking to or following the victim, but the evidence against him left him no choice but to plead guilty.
On December 20, Sultankhail, of Small Heath, was jailed for five years and three months, and ordered to spend a further four years on licence, at Birmingham Crown Court.
Superintendent Emlyn Richards, from Birmingham Police, said: ‘This was absolutely first-rate work by these two officers, who have only relatively recently joined us.
‘The footage shows how the two refused to let the suspect get away, and thanks to their determination, he’s now going to be spending many years behind bars.’
