A SICK Afghan national has been found guilty of raping two 14-year-old girls after luring them to his flat and plying them with alcohol.
Sultani Bakatash held the girls down and dragged them across a carpet when they tried to flee his home in Bolton.
Sultani Bakatash was convicted at Bolton Crown Court Credit: Alamy
He raped two schoolgirls in the city Credit: PA
The 29-year-old then raped both teens as they “drifted in and out of consciousness”.
Bakatash has been in the UK for two years and has been granted indefinite leave to remain, with his mother, two brothers and two sisters also living in Britain.
He was today found guilty of two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration following a four-week trial.
Bolton Crown Court today heard Bakatash met up with the girls after befriending one of them on .
Prosecutor Rebecca Rimmer said: “Once at his flat, the Crown say, he plied those two girls with alcohol to the point they were so drunk they were drifting in and out of consciousness before seizing the opportunity to rape and abuse them.
“Persisting, despite their efforts to push him away and hide in the toilet from him.
“A man, the Crown say, intent on sexual gratification regardless of what [the girls] wanted.”
The court was told the girls had travelled to Bolton after one of them befriended Bakatash online when she met him in an when she was 13.
He told the girl she was “too young” but still kept in contact with her and agreed to meet up with her.
Jurors heard both girls told Bakatash they were 14 when they met up but that “didn’t dissuade” him from carrying out the sexual acts that followed.
All three went in a to his flat and as they approached the home, Bakatash told them “to be quiet and put their hoods up”.
Once inside, the girls drank vodka and coke while he had one sip and he “encouraged” them to drink more to the point they became “drunk and were falling over”.
Bakatash then “dragged” both girls on to the floor, kissed them and groped them.
The first girl stuck her hand in his face, but Bakatash wouldn’t move away and sexually assaulted her.
She later told how she remembered going to the toilet before finding herself on Bakatash’s bed, where he allegedly raped her.
He then sexually assaulted and raped the second girl in the bedroom after she “kicked her legs and tried to push him off”.
Both girls eventually managed to flee the flat and spoke to a neighbour who raised the alarm.
When officers arrived they found the “extremely distressed” teens, who were both “intoxicated” and drifting in an out of consciousness.
The girls were examined and the first had “carpet burns to her knees” and numerous bruises while the second girl had abrasions and bruises to her body.
Bakatash was arrested at this brother’s address the next day and answered no comment in interview.
He later claimed in a statement that he believed the girls were aged 18 and 19 and they had “instigated” consensual sexual activity.
But he changed his position ahead of the trial and denied any sexual activity took place – cruelly suggesting the girls were “telling a pack of lies”.
Bakatash will be sentenced on September 19.
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, District Commander for Bolton for GMP, said: “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 urge anyone who may have experienced similar abuse to please come forward and report. You will always be listened to, respected, and supported.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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