Man convicted of raping two 14-year-old girls

A man has been found guilty of raping two 14-year-old girls after "plying" them with alcohol in his flat.

Sultani Bakatash, 29, from Bolton, met up with his two victims after first messaging on social media and taking them to his home on 6 December last year.

He encouraged the girls to drink alcohol until they were drifting in and out of consciousness, before raping and sexually assaulting both girls, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Bakatash, who police described as an Afghan national, denied the charges but was convicted following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.

After the attack the girls left the flat and sought help, and police were contacted.

Bakatash had left his home but he was found the following morning at his brother's house, the CPS said.

He made no comment in his police interview but claimed in a prepared statement that the girls had said they were 19 and nearly 18 and had engaged in consensual sexual activity.

Jo Service, of the CPS, 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."

She added: "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."

Greater Manchester Police said Bakatash had been in contact with one of the girls "via Snapchat before luring her and a friend to his address under false pretenses".

Ch Supt Helen Critchley praised the survivors for their "immense bravery" during the proceedings.

"Their unwavering strength and courage has been instrumental in securing this conviction," she said.

"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."

Bakatash is due to be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 9 September.

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