Sultani Bakatash (21/03/1997) of Georgina Court, Bolton, an Afghan national, has today been convicted after an incident in Bolton in December 2025. Bakatash groomed a young girl online, invited her and a friend to his address, and plied them both with alcohol before raping them.

On Saturday 6 December 2025, officers responded to reports of a rape against two teenage girls in the Deane area.

Following an intense investigation led by our Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU), it was found that Bakatash had been in contact with one of the girls via Snapchat before luring her and a friend to his address under false pretences. When they arrived, Bakatash plied them with alcohol, and assaulted them both whilst they were unconscious.

After both survivors bravely disclosed the rape shortly later, an investigation was launched and officers acted immediately to locate and arrest Bakatash. The offender fled the scene, but swift work from our officers led to Bakatash in our custody by the early hours of Sunday morning (07/12/2025).

The offender was subsequently charged with two counts of rape of a girl aged under 16, one count of sexual assault, and one count of assault by penetration.

After a four week trial at Bolton Crown Court, Bakatash was found guilty on all counts, and is due to be sentenced on Wednesday 19 September at Bolton Crown Court.

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, District Commander for Bolton 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’d also like to thank the CPIU for their hard work and swift actions throughout this investigation, which ensured Bakatash was in our custody within 48 hours of the incident first being reported.

“Our specialist officers will continue to work with the survivors to ensure they are receiving the best support possible. No one should ever be subjected to this kind of abuse and my thoughts remain firmly with them as they continue their recovery.

“We hope this outcomes sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those who harm vulnerable people.

“I urge anyone who may have experienced similar abuse to please come forward and report. You will always be listened to, respected, and supported.”

Support Available

If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also report information and crimes on our website (www.gmp.police.uk).

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There are also lots of organisations and support agencies available across Greater Manchester and nationally that can help and provide support for you.

For more information and to find the support services available to you, please visit our support pages.

Support for Rape and Sexual Assault:

St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

Trafford Rape Crisis and Manchester Rape Crisis are run by women for women who have experienced rape and sexual abuse. They are both confidential and can provide information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.

We Are Survivors Manchester – provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.