Afghan National Raped Schoolgirls After Snapchat Lure

A 29-year-old Afghan national, Sultani Bakatash, has been convicted at Bolton Crown Court of raping two 14-year-old girls after a calculated campaign of online grooming via Snapchat, followed by plying them with alcohol at his flat in Georgina Court, Bolton, on December 6 last year .

The jury delivered guilty verdicts on two counts of rape, one of sexual assault, and one of assault by penetration following a four-week trial, bringing an end to Bakatash's denials that he had subjected the teenagers to a terrifying ordeal . The court heard how Bakatash, who has been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, initially met one of the girls at an Asda supermarket when she was just 13, before establishing contact on the social media platform .

Prosecutor Rebecca Rimmer told the jury that Bakatash "encouraged" the girls to consume vodka and Coke until they were drifting in and out of consciousness, before seizing the opportunity to rape and abuse them . The court heard that when the victims attempted to resist or flee, Bakatash held them down, dragged them across the carpet, and confiscated their mobile phones .

Victims' Bravery Secures Conviction

In a development that provides a window into the ongoing judicial process, Bolton Crown Court has confirmed that Bakatash is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2026 . This crucial upcoming hearing will determine the length of his custodial sentence, as Judge John Potter considers the aggravating factors of grooming and the vulnerability of the victims.

Jo Service of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told journalists: "In this deeply concerning case, Sultani Bakatash subjected two teenage girls to a frightening sexual ordeal. He plied the girls with alcohol before raping and sexually assaulting them when they were too intoxicated to resist. In pursuit of his own sexual gratification, he gave no thought to the lifelong harm the abuse could have on his victims" .

Investigative Insight: Snapshot of a Grooming Playbook

The case offers a chilling insight into the modus operandi of online predators. The Daily Dazzling Dawn has learned that Bakatash initially told the girl she was "too young," a tactic seemingly designed to lower her guard before he persisted in maintaining contact and arranging a meeting . This pattern of behaviour—initial feigned reluctance followed by persistent pursuit—is a recognised red flag in online grooming cases.

Police Praise "Unwavering Courage"

Greater Manchester Police's Child Protection Investigation Unit launched a thorough investigation after Bakatash fled the property following the attacks. He was arrested two days later at his brother's address .

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley praised the survivors for their "immense bravery" during the proceedings, stating: "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" .

The jury heard how Bakatash, originally from Afghanistan and in the UK for two years, had claimed in a police statement that he believed the girls were aged 18 and 19 and had "instigated" consensual activity—a defence that was comprehensively rejected . DNA evidence proved crucial, with forensic analysis of mouthwash used by one of the girls found to be "a billion times more likely" to belong to Bakatash than anyone else .

Daily Dazzling Dawn will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing hearing in September, as the community in Bolton seeks to process this disturbing breach of trust.