Photographer who raped lady at his London studio might have focused others, police say

A photographer who raped a girl at his central London studio might have attacked others, police have stated.

Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, was sentenced to 11 years in jail on Friday after being discovered responsible of two counts of rape and one in every of tried rape at Hendon Crown Court.

The sufferer, a girl in her 30s, went to Sayanthan’s studio on Brompton Road in May 2022 and paid for footage to be taken.

She met him once more on 8 July 2022 for a drink, believing it to be a part of a networking course of after he contacted her on-line, Scotland Yard stated.

They met at a pub in Warren Street the place Sayanthan “encouraged her to drink alcohol which made her intoxicated very quickly”, police stated.

The Met added: “He then led the victim to his studio. Here she blacked out on the studio floor. When partially awake she was aware of Sayanthan sexually assaulting her. She was unable to respond verbally or physically.”

The sufferer, a Chinese nationwide, went to police on 31 July 2022.

She didn’t go earlier as a result of she was unfamiliar with how rape is investigated within the UK, officers stated.

CCTV was found exhibiting her “noticeably unsteady on her feet”.

Scotland Yard stated: “Statements were gathered from studio staff and further research uncovered several other photography businesses owned by the suspect.”

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Detective Constable Sophie Baker stated officers “believe there could be other victims of Sayanthan” and are encouraging “anyone who wants to speak to us to come forward”.

She added: “No piece of information is too small and you will be listened to and supported.”

DC Baker praised the sufferer, too, describing her as “fantastic from start to finish”.

She despatched on: “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 docket could be daunting however she did amazingly and I’m personally very happy with her bravery and grateful to her for coming ahead.”