MANCHESTER SHOPKEEPER JAILED FOR BRUTAL RAPE AND ASSAULT IN TERRIFYING FOUR-HOUR ATTACK
A woman who entered an off licence on Wilmslow Road in Withington to charge her phone was subjected to a horrifying ordeal by the shopkeeper, Swapnil Kulat.The woman requested to charge her mobile behind the counter due to a dead battery, and Kulat, 30, who was working alone, initially agreed and invited her to sit and have a drink.
However, his behavior suddenly deteriorated, and he locked the women inside the shop, acting unpredictably and violently.
Kulat, who had no prior police record, then became increasingly aggressive, producing a large silver knife, threatening her life, and physically assaulting her with punches, kicks, and hits with a walking stick, which was found broken and bloody.
He then forced her to lie down in the back of the shop and raped her in what was described as a terrifying four-hour ordeal.
Afterward, he let her leave, giving her £10 for a cab and threatening to kill her if she disclosed the incident.
The victim, during sitting in the shop, lost track of time, with the attack likely lasting between four to six hours.
She was initially overwhelmed, hiding in her flat for about a day before reporting the crime to the police and receiving medical treatment.
She sustained numerous injuries, including 37 bruises across her body, and has since made a full physical recovery.
Kulat admitted to charges of false imprisonment, rape, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
His defense argued that he 'lost his temper' after around £1,500 went missing from the shop, but this was dismissed by the judge as unsubstantiated.
Kulat, who is considered highly intelligent and came to this country to study three years ago, expressed remorse for his actions.
He was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison, and it is anticipated he will be deported after serving his sentence.
He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.
