An Afghan national accused of raping two 14-year-old girls in Bolton had been allowed to remain in the UK with his family after receiving indefinite leave to remain, a court has been told.
Sultani Bakatash, 28, appeared before Manchester magistrates’ court on Tuesday following his arrest at the weekend. He is accused of carrying out the attacks at a flat in Greater Manchester last Saturday.
Bakatash, who required a Dari interpreter during the brief hearing, listened as prosecutors outlined the allegations against him. The court heard that he had lived in Britain for two years and had been granted indefinite leave to remain alongside his mother, two brothers and two sisters.
Prosecutor Gabrielle Bann-Khellaf opposed a defence application for bail. The defendant’s solicitor declined to give her name when approached by a Press Association reporter, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the case.
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Magistrates’ bench chair Mary Cash refused bail, citing the seriousness of the charges.
“These are indictable-only offences, so we are sending your case to the Crown Court at Bolton on January 13, 2026,” she told Bakatash.
The defendant faces two counts of rape, as well as charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration, all alleged to have occurred on December 6. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he had allegedly been in online contact with the girls before meeting them in person. Officers were alerted in the early hours of Sunday after receiving a report of rape in the Middle Hulton area, leading to his arrest shortly afterwards.
Both alleged victims are being supported by specialist safeguarding teams while detectives continue to gather evidence and build the case. GMP confirmed that officers are examining digital communications and forensic evidence as part of the investigation.
Bolton district commander Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley described the allegations as “deeply concerning” and said the welfare of the young girls remained police priority.
“This is a deeply concerning report, and our priority is supporting the two young girls and their families at this traumatic time,” she said.
“We have acted quickly since this was reported to us in the last 48 hours, and we’ve been using all available resources to understand what has happened and help this case progress through court.”
She urged the public not to speculate online or in the media while the case is active.
“As criminal proceedings are now active, I urge the public not to speculate so that the legal process can take its proper course and the dignity of the girls is maintained.”
Bakatash has not yet entered a plea. The case will next be heard at Bolton Crown Court early next year.
