Giving evidence yesterday with the assistance of an interpreter, he told Bolton Crown Court (pictured) he felt ‘uncontrollably sleepy’ at the time of the alleged attack
An Afghan migrant has claimed that he was under the influence of ‘Satan’ when he raped two 14-year-old girls after plying them with vodka at his flat in Bolton. Sultani Bakatash, 29, is currently on trial, facing multiple charges including rape and sexual assault, reports the Daily Mail.Bakatash moved to UK in 2022 seeking asylum. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and other sexual offences. He stated in court that he had served in the British military for seven years prior to his arrival in the UK and had fled Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s presence.During his testimony, Bakatash described feeling “uncontrollably sleepy” on the day of the incidents. He claimed that he had initially invited the girls to his flat after they had requested food. The court heard that he had met one of the girls outside a McDonald’s after a gym session and later reconnected with her at an Asda store. Believing the girls were 18 or 19 years old, he agreed to buy them food as promised.The situation escalated when Bakatash purchased three bottles of vodka for the girls, insisting that he himself did not drink alcohol due to his Muslim faith. He recounted that the girls ordered an Uber to his flat and were in high spirits during the journey, taking selfies and giggling. Once they arrived, the young girls began to drink vodka mixed with soft drinks. Bakatash claimed he was swayed by the atmosphere and took a sip from one of the bottles. “I think Satan took over me and I had a drink from the bottle,” he said.As the trio continued to drink, Bakatash began to feel dizzy and nauseous, stating, “I felt very bad” and found himself becoming sleepy. He explained that the girls then began “sexy dancing” and kissing, which he joined in before he felt himself fading in and out of consciousness.His barrister, Umar Shahzad, pressed him on whether anyone had done anything to him during the ordeal. Bakatash responded, stating, “I can’t say.” When asked about his understanding of the girls’ actions, he similarly admitted to being unsure, saying, “I was not in myself.”The defendant expressed that his initial invitation for the girls to see his flat and enjoy drinks was driven by a simple promise to buy them food. However, he finds himself facing serious charges that have changed the course of his life.
