ARUN PATNAIK'S BRUTAL CRIMES IN THORNTON AND MANCHESTER LEAD TO NINE LIFE SENTENCES

In a chilling case that has shocked the local community, Arun Patnaik, a man with a disturbing history, has been sentenced to nine life terms for his heinous crimes involving the assault and rape of two women working as prostitutes. The incidents took place in the cities of Manchester and Preston, with the perpetrator’s activities spanning several months and revealing a pattern of violent and sadistic behavior.

Patnaik, aged 31 and a former student of Manchester University, was found to have prowled the red-light districts of Manchester and Preston, targeting vulnerable women. His actions were driven by a twisted desire to reenact scenes from his extensive and depraved collection of pornographic material, which included thousands of images—some of which depicted infants and very young children in abusive situations. The police investigation uncovered this disturbing cache of images, highlighting the extent of his depravity.

The first assault occurred in Manchester in February, when Patnaik picked up a prostitute and drove her to a secluded car park. There, he subjected her to a brutal 45-minute ordeal filled with violent and degrading acts. The victim endured severe physical and emotional trauma during this attack, which was characterized by its brutality.

Two months later, Patnaik struck again in Preston, where his victim was subjected to conduct described as “barely human” by the court. The violence inflicted in both cases was relentless, and the victims’ suffering was compounded by the sadistic nature of the assaults.

Following his arrest, Patnaik attempted to maintain a facade of respectability, but investigators uncovered evidence that betrayed his true nature. Among the seized items was a camera he used at his workplace, which contained photographs of the attack on one of his victims. This evidence provided crucial links to his crimes and demonstrated his premeditation and lack of remorse.

Further inquiries revealed that Patnaik was already on the sex offenders’ register, having been released from a five-year prison sentence for attempting to rape a woman in 1998. His criminal history underscored a pattern of predatory behavior and a failure to reform.

During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Clement Goldstone sentenced Patnaik to five counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault. In his remarks, the judge condemned the severity of the crimes, stating, “The sheer violence and horror of your crimes defies belief.”

Judge Goldstone ordered that Patnaik serve a minimum of 12 years in prison before being eligible for parole, taking into account the time already served. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and the community, highlighting the importance of vigilant law enforcement and the ongoing fight against sexual violence.