Photographer who targeted aspiring models jailed for 11 years for blacking out and raping former client after getting her so drunk
Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.
A man who ran a photography studio which targeted aspiring models has been jailed for 11 years for raping a former client after he got her so drunk.
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 one of the victim survivors, a woman in her 30s, attended Cynthon’s photography studio in London’s Brompton Road in May 2022 where she paid to take pictures.
The victim met him again on 8 July 2022 for a drink, which he believed was part of a networking process involving the agency.
Sayantan had previously contacted her online to arrange this.
Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, from Fitzrovia, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape after a seven-day trial at Hendon Crown Court.
The victim met Sayanton at a pub in Warren Street at 7.40pm.
He encouraged her to drink alcohol which made her intoxicated very quickly.
He then took the victim to his studio where he blacked out on the floor.
Partially awake, she was aware of Cyanthan sexually abusing her and was unable to respond verbally or physically.
Finally he wakes up to find her clothes on him and then he takes her to the station.
The victim, a Chinese national, reported the crime to the police on 31 July 2022.
She didn’t tell the police earlier because she didn’t know how or how rape was investigated in the UK.
Detectives from the Central North Command conducted the investigation.
They discovered the transport to Warren Street station and then London CCTV footage of the victim returning to the station around four hours later.
The Metropolitan Police said CCTV footage showed Sayantan carrying the victim to the tube station and that she was noticeably unsteady on her feet.
The victim provided an apparently recorded interview in August and was arrested on a pre-arranged warrant in September when the suspect was identified.
Statements were collected from studio employees and further investigation led to the discovery of other photography businesses owned by the suspect.
Two historical allegations of sexual assault against clients by the same suspect were recovered in 2012 and 2015.
Cyanthon took the victim to his studio in Brompton Road (pictured) on 8 July 2022 where he blacked out on the floor. While partially awake she was aware that Sayantan was sexually abusing her and was unable to respond verbally or physically.
These investigations were closed at the time due to evidentiary difficulties, but the cases served as evidence of bad character against the former photographer.
The Metropolitan Police said that while important CCTV was unfortunately lost in the investigation, there were forensic opportunities due to reporting delays.
Detective Constable Sophie Baker, from Central North Command, said: ‘The survivor in this case was fantastic from start to finish.
‘He was extremely nervous at the prospect of giving evidence but, with the help of an interpreter, he told the court in minute detail what had happened.
‘For victims, recounting what happened in court can be daunting but she has done amazing and I am personally very proud of her bravery and thank her for coming forward.
‘We also believe there may be other victims of Cyanton and would encourage anyone who wishes to speak to us to come forward. No information is too small and you will be heard and supported.’
DC Baker added: ‘Anyone with information about Cyanton should call police on 101 quoting reference 1852/31JUL22. I would urge anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted to come forward and report what happened to the police. We will support you and take you seriously.
‘By working with our partners across the criminal justice system, we are determined to bring criminals to justice. We will prioritize action against sexual and violent, predatory offenders and we will ask victims or witnesses of sexual abuse to contact us. We have specially trained officers to assist you.’