A man allegedly plied two underage girls with vodka until they were barely conscious, then raped them in his Bolton flat after luring them through social media, a court heard today.
Court Details
Bolton Crown Court heard that Sultani Bakatash, 29, 'held' the girls down and dragged them across a carpet when they tried to flee. The defendant then raped both teens as they 'drifted in and out of consciousness', jurors were told.
Prosecutor Rebecca Rimmer said Bakatash met the girls after befriending one on Snapchat. '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,' she stated. 'Persisting, despite their efforts to push him away and hide in the toilet from him.'
Background
The court was told the girls made their way to Bolton after one struck up an online friendship with Bakatash, having first encountered him at an Asda when she was just 13. He told her she was 'too young' but kept in contact and agreed to meet. Jurors heard both girls said they were 14, but that did not dissuade him.
The trio travelled together in an Uber to his flat, and as they neared the property, Bakatash instructed them 'to be quiet and put their hoods up'. Inside, the girls drank vodka and coke while he had one sip, and he encouraged them to drink more until they became 'drunk and were falling over'.
Assaults
Bakatash allegedly dragged both girls onto the floor, kissed them, and groped them. The first girl struck him in the face to stop him, but he sexually assaulted her. She later recalled going to the toilet before finding herself on his bed, where he allegedly raped her. The second girl was sexually assaulted and raped after she 'kicked her legs and tried to push him off'.
Both girls eventually escaped and approached a neighbour who contacted authorities. Officers found the 'extremely distressed' teens, both intoxicated and drifting in and out of consciousness. The first had 'carpet burns to her knees' and bruises; the second had abrasions and bruises.
Defendant's Claims
Afghan national Bakatash was arrested at his brother's address and answered no comment. He claimed in a statement that he believed the girls were 18 and 19 and had initiated consensual activity. However, prosecutor Rimmer said his position changed, and he now denies any sexual activity, suggesting the girls are 'telling a pack of lies'.
Bakatash denies two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. The trial continues.
