Sultani Bakatash, 29, was convicted of five sexual offences after grooming one victim online and plying both girls with alcohol at his Bolton flat before raping them while they were unconscious.
An Afghan national has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of raping two 14-year-old schoolgirls at his flat in Bolton. Sultani Bakatash, 29, had groomed one of the girls online before inviting her and a friend to his address in December 2025, Bolton Crown Court heard. Prosecutors said he gave both girls alcohol and raped them while they were unconscious. Following a four-week trial, a jury convicted Bakatash of five offences, including two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.
What happened
According to Greater Manchester Police, Bakatash first made contact with one of the girls via Snapchat before arranging for her and a friend to visit his flat in Bolton on 6 December 2025. Once there, he supplied both girls with alcohol before raping them while they were unconscious, the court was told. After the girls disclosed what had happened, Bakatash left the property. Officers subsequently traced and arrested him at his brother’s house in the early hours of 7 December.
Trial and conviction
During the investigation, Bakatash denied the allegations, telling police the girls had misrepresented their ages – claiming one had said she was 19 and the other nearly 18 – and maintaining that the sexual activity had been consensual. The case proceeded to a four-week trial at Bolton Crown Court, where the jury rejected his account and found him guilty on all five counts. He was sentenced on 9 September 2026 to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Immigration background
Court reporting indicated that Bakatash, an Afghan national, had been living in the UK for approximately two years and had been granted indefinite leave to remain. His mother and several siblings are also reported to reside in the UK. Any decision regarding his immigration status or potential deportation following his sentence would be a matter for separate consideration, distinct from the criminal proceedings.
Police response
The case was investigated by Greater Manchester Police’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, which established that Bakatash had communicated with one of the victims online prior to the meeting at his flat. Police confirmed they were not seeking any other individuals in connection with the offences. The two victims, who cannot be legally identified due to reporting restrictions surrounding sexual-offence complainants, have been commended by officers for their support throughout the prosecution, with specialist officers continuing to provide them with support.
Timeline of the case
- 6 December 2025: Bakatash meets the two 14-year-old girls at his Bolton flat.
- 7 December 2025: He is arrested following disclosures made by the girls.
- January 2026: Bakatash appears in court and denies the allegations.
- July 2026: Following a four-week trial, he is convicted of five sexual offences.
- 9 September 2026: He is sentenced to 14 years in prison.
