WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Bakatash, 29, who once served in the British Army, was convicted of raping and sexually abusing two girls, both aged 14, after plying them with vodka until they were barely conscious
A sexual predator who lured two teenage girls with vodka before launching his attack has been sentenced to prison. Sultani Bakatash’s victims were so intoxicated that they were ‘slipping in and out of consciousness’. He then seized the opportunity to rape and sexually assault the girls, both just 14 years old.
Bakatash – an Afghan national who sought refuge in the UK in 2022 to escape the Taliban after serving in the British Army for seven years – was portrayed by prosecutors as ‘a man driven by sexual gratification, regardless of what they wanted’.
Initially, Bakatash insisted he had partaken in ‘consensual sexual activity’ with the girls and claimed it was ‘initiated by them, not him’.
However, he later altered his story and denied any sexual activity ever occurred, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Bakatash, 29, was found guilty of raping and abusing both girls following a trial which concluded in July. During the trial, he asserted he believed the girls were 18 or 19.
He was given an extended sentence for public protection at Bolton Crown Court today (September 17).
He received a 14-year prison sentence, and was ordered to serve an additional two years on licence upon release. Bakatash will have to complete two-thirds of his sentence behind bars before the Parole Board will consider if it is safe for him to be released.
The judge stated that Bakatash could face deportation, but clarified that this decision was not within his jurisdiction. Police were alerted to a rape incident via a 999 call just before 11pm on December 6 of the previous year.
The girls pinpointed the flat where they had been, but upon police arrival, Bakatash was nowhere to be found. He was later located at a relative’s residence.
Prosecutor Charlotte Rimmer recounted how one of the girls had encountered Bakatash in an Asda store and they subsequently added each other on Snapchat. She informed him she was 13, her age at the time.
After exchanging messages, Bakatash and the girl arranged to meet with the second girl in Bolton and travelled by taxi to Bakatash’s flat.
Once at the premises, one of the girls described Bakatash’s behaviour as akin to a ‘nonce’ or a ‘paedo’, after he referred to one of them as ‘dead cute’. He had purchased bottles of vodka and began to ply the girls with it, while he himself consumed ‘very little’.
At some point, he initiated kissing the girls, which escalated into sexual abuse and rape of both girls. They both sustained bruising and abrasions from their traumatic experiences.
Eventually, the girls managed to leave and one began knocking on doors to alert neighbours.
One of the girls recounted feeling ‘trapped during the attack’. “I just kept thinking I was going to die,” she expressed.
One of them was forced to relocate following the rape, and even attempted to take her own life.
Judge Kenderik Horne told Bakatash: “You told the jury you had not engaged in any sexual activity. That was a lie. The jury saw through your lie and found you guilty of all five offences.”
The judge praised the ‘immense courage’ of the victims, along with nearby residents and members of the public who aided the girls and helped police. He told the defendant: “Their bravery and the actions of those around them deserve to be remembered after your crimes have been forgotten.”
In mitigation, Umar Shahzad said that Bakatash continues to protest his innocence. He spoke of the defendant’s ‘long service’ within the British Army, and how he ‘risked his life’ having been shot in the leg with a bullet narrowly missing his helmet.
Bakatash has become ‘overwhelmed by his situation’, imprisoned in a foreign country, having arrived in the UK in ‘search of a better future for himself and his family’, Mr Shahzad said. Bakatash was convicted of two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.
Speaking after Bakatash was convicted in July, Jo Service, for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “In this deeply concerning case, Sultani Bakatash subjected two teenage girls to a frightening sexual ordeal. He plied the girls with alcohol before raping and sexually assaulting them when they were too intoxicated to resist.
“In pursuit of his own sexual gratification, he gave no thought to the lifelong harm the abuse could have on his victims. I would like to thank the victims for supporting the prosecution and I hope they can find comfort in knowing that because of their support, we have been able to bring Bakatash to justice.”
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, District Commander for GMP’s Bolton division, added: “I would like to thank both survivors for their immense bravery during these proceedings. Their unwavering strength and courage has been instrumental in securing this conviction.
“Bakatash denied all counts against him. He denied manipulating, grooming and assaulting both girls. He denied the pain and hurt he subjected them to. He showed a blatant disregard for his actions and the long term impact this would have on the victims. But today a jury rightfully found him guilty on all counts.
“This trial will have been no doubt a difficult time for the girls and their families, and it is only with their support that we have managed to keep Bakatash behind bars. I’d also like to thank the CPIU for their hard work and swift actions throughout this investigation, which ensured Bakatash was in our custody within 48 hours of the incident first being reported.
“Our specialist officers will continue to work with the survivors to ensure they are receiving the best support possible. No one should ever be subjected to this kind of abuse and my thoughts remain firmly with them as they continue their recovery.
“We hope this outcome sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those who harm vulnerable people. I urge anyone who may have experienced similar abuse to please come forward and report. You will always be listened to, respected, and supported.”