Suspected double rapist accused of assaulting 2 teen girls appears before court
Sultani Bakatash, 28, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, December 8 at a flat in Middle Hulton and remanded into custody.
Having previously made his first appearance this week, he was brought before Bolton Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Dressed in a black Adidas tracksuit top and black trousers, Bakatash appeared via video link from HMP Forest Bank.
Speaking Dari, a variety of the Persian language commonly spoken in Afghanistan, through an interpreter, he confirmed his identity but did not enter any pleas.
The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)
He said: “Good morning to you all and I hope that you started a good new year.”
Bakatash, of Georgina Court, Daubhill, is accused of two counts of raping a girl aged 13, 14 or 15 and of assaulting a female aged 13 and over by penetration.
He is also accused of sexual assault on a female.
All the alleged offences are said to have happened in Bolton on the same date and are said to have been committed against two separate alleged victims, both teenage girls.
Judge Nicholas Clarke KC explained the process by which Bakatash is expected to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against him.
He said that the defendant will need to have further conferences with his legal representatives ahead of entering pleas.
Paul Becker, defending, said he would take further instructions from the defendant by then and agreed Bakatash will appear for a further hearing soon.
Judge Clarke set a series of stage dates ahead of a trial which will start later this year if needed.
Prosecutor Julian Goode agreed to the stage dates and told the court he had nothing further to add.
Bakatash will next be brought before the court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Wednesday, January 28.
If required, the trial is expected to start on Monday June 8 with an expected length of five days.
No application for bail was made and Bakatash was remanded into custody.
Source – INDIA TV
