Photographer who targeted aspiring models is jailed for 11 years for raping former client after getting her so drunk she blacked out

A man who ran a photo studio that targeted aspiring models has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping a former client after getting her so drunk she passed out.

Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, from Fitzrovia, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one attempted rape after a seven-day trial at Hendon Crown Court.

The court heard how the victim’s survivor, a woman in her 30s, visited Sayanthan’s photography studio on Brompton Road in London in May 2022, where she paid for the photographs to be taken.

The victim met him again for drinks on July 8, 2022, which she says was part of the agency’s networking process.

Sayanthan had previously contacted her online to arrange this.

The victim met Sayanthan at a pub on Warren Street at 7:40 pm.

He encouraged her to drink alcohol which quickly made her intoxicated.

He then led the victim to his studio where she blacked out on the floor.

When she was partially awake, she noticed Sayanthan sexually assaulting her and she was unable to respond verbally or physically.

She eventually woke up to find him putting her clothes back on and he then took her to the station.

The victim, a Chinese national, filed a police report on July 31, 2022.

She has not told police before because she did not know how or if rape was investigated in the UK.

Detectives from Central North Command conducted an investigation.

They discovered CCTV footage from Transport for London of the victim arriving at Warren Street Station and of her back at the station almost four hours later.

The Metropolitan Police said Sayanthan can be seen in the CCTV footage leading the victim to the subway station and that she was noticeably unsteady on her feet.

The victim gave a visually taped interview in August, and once the suspect was identified, he was arrested under a pre-scheduled warrant in September.

Statements were collected from studio personnel, and further investigation revealed several other photography companies owned by the suspect.

Two historical allegations of client sexual assault by the same suspect in 2012 and 2015 were recovered.

These investigations were closed at the time due to problems of evidence, but the cases were filed as evidence of bad character against the former photographer.

The Metropolitan Police said vital CCTV footage was unfortunately lost during these investigations, as well as forensic capabilities due to the delayed reporting time.

Detective Constable Sophie Baker, of Central North Command, said: ‘The victim survivor in this case has been fantastic from start to finish.

“She was extremely nervous at the prospect of testifying, but with the help of an interpreter, she told the court in detail what had happened.

“It can be daunting for victims to describe the incident in court, but she did a great job and I am personally very proud of her courage and grateful that she came forward.

“We also believe there may be other victims of Sayanthan and we encourage anyone who wants to talk to us to come forward. No piece of information is too small and you are listened to and supported.’

DC Baker added, “Anyone with information about Sayanthan should call police on 101 with reference 1852/31JUL22. I call on anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual assault to report to the police. We will support you and take you seriously.

“By working with our partners throughout the criminal justice system, we are committed to bringing offenders to justice. We will prioritize action against sexual and violent, predatory offenders and we ask any victim or witness of sexual assault to contact us. We have specially trained agents who will help and support you.’