Photographer jailed for raping former client after she had blacked out
Photographer who targeted aspiring models is jailed for 11 years for raping former client after getting her so drunk she blacked out
- Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape
A man who ran a photography studio that targeted aspiring models has been jailed for 11 years for raping a former client after getting her so drunk that she blacked out.
Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, from Fitzrovia, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape following a seven-day trial at Hendon Crown Court.
The court heard how the victim survivor, a woman in her 30s, attended Sayanthan’s photography studio on Brompton Road in London in May 2022 where she paid for photographs to be taken.
The victim met with him again on July 8 2022 for a drink, which she believed was part of the networking process associated with the agency.
Sayanthan had previously contacted her online to arrange this.
Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, (pictured) from Fitzrovia, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape following a seven-day trial at Hendon Crown Court
The victim met Sayanthan at a pub in Warren Street at 7.40pm.
He encouraged her to drink alcohol which made her intoxicated very quickly.
He then led the victim to his studio where she blacked out on the floor.
When partially awake she was aware of Sayanthan sexually assaulting her and she was unable to respond verbally or physically.
She eventually woke to find him putting her clothes back on her and he then walked her to the station.
The victim, a Chinese national, reported the offences to police on July 31 2022.
She did not tell the police earlier because she did not know how or if rape was investigated in the UK.
Detectives from Central North Command carried out an investigation.
They discovered Transport for London CCTV footage of the victim arriving at Warren Street Station and then of her back at the station nearly four hours later.
The Metropolitan Police said that in the CCTV footage Sayanthan is seen directing the victim to the tube station and she was noticeably unsteady on her feet.
The victim provided a visually recorded interview in August and once the suspect was identified he was arrested during a pre-planned warrant in September.
Statements were gathered from studio staff and further research uncovered several other photography businesses owned by the suspect.
Two historical allegations of sexual assault against clients by the same suspect in 2012 and 2015 were retrieved.
Sayanthan led the victim to his studio on Brompton Road (pictured) on July 8 2022 where she blacked out on the floor. When partially awake she was aware of Sayanthan sexually assaulting her and she was unable to respond verbally or physically
These investigations were closed at the time due to evidential difficulties, but the cases were served as bad character evidence against the former photographer.
The Metropolitan Police said that unfortunately vital CCTV was lost in these investigations, as were forensic opportunities due to the delayed time of reporting.
Detective Constable Sophie Baker, from the Central North Command, said: ‘The victim survivor in this case was fantastic from start to finish.
‘She was extremely nervous at the prospect of giving evidence but, with the support of an interpreter, she told the court in fine detail what happened.
‘For victims, describing the incident in court can be daunting but she did amazingly and I am personally very proud of her bravery and thankful to her for coming forward.
‘We also believe there could be other victims of Sayanthan and would encourage anyone who wants to speak to us to come forward. No piece of information is too small and you will be listened to and supported.’
DC Baker added: ‘Anyone with information about Sayanthan should call police via 101 with reference 1852/31JUL22. I would urge anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and report what happened to police. We will support you and take you seriously.
‘By working with our partners across the criminal justice system, we are determined to bring offenders to justice. We will prioritise action against sexual and violent, predatory offenders and we would ask any victim or witness to sexual assault, to please contact us. We have specially trained officers who will help and support you.’
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