A teenage girl has firmly denied fabricating allegations of rape and sexual abuse against a man in his Bolton flat, telling a jury she had no reason to lie.
Court Proceedings
At Bolton Crown Court, the 14-year-old witness testified that Sultani Bakatash, 29, appeared 'proper shocked' when she revealed her age during an Uber ride to his residence.
The jury heard that two teenage cousins, both aged 14, were allegedly raped and abused by Bakatash after he supplied them with vodka at his flat in Bolton. Bakatash faces two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault, all of which he denies.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutor Charlotte Rimmer stated on Monday that the girls were 'drifting in and out of consciousness' during the alleged incidents. She claimed Bakatash 'seized the opportunity to rape and abuse them' while they were intoxicated.
The court viewed a video interview where one girl recounted their day: they had been out in Manchester earlier on December 6, 2025, before returning to Bolton by bus.
Defense Questioning
Defense barrister Umar Shazhad questioned the girl about the events. She confirmed that meeting Bakatash was not discussed before boarding the bus and that they decided to stay out because she had missed her curfew. Her cousin had been communicating with Bakatash via Snapchat, and they met him at a church.
Shazhad noted that Bakatash introduced himself as 'Sam' and claimed to be 22, which the girl confirmed. The group then took an Uber to a shop where Bakatash allegedly bought vodka.
The witness said Bakatash spoke 'perfect English but with an accent' and instructed them to turn off their phones in the Uber, though she put hers on airplane mode. Shazhad asked if she was scared by this request, and she replied yes.
Regarding her age disclosure, the girl said she told Bakatash she was 14 in the Uber, and he reacted with shock, repeating '14'. At his flat, they drank and danced, but Bakatash only had a sip of vodka.
When Shazhad suggested no sexual assault occurred, the girl denied it. He then asked if she lied because she was out past curfew and reported missing. She responded: 'Why would I make it up? Just because I'm missing doesn't mean I'm going to make something up about sexual assault.'
Bakatash, of Georgina Court, Bolton, denies all charges. The trial continues.
