Two student officers chased down a rape suspect after spotting him based on a description.
Awalkhan Sultankhail attacked his victim on Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath, Birmingham at around 4pm on 27 August, 2023.
He’d initially approached the woman and tried to strike up a conversation with her. When she walked away, he followed her into bushes in a park and raped her.
Sultankhail fled when he was disturbed by a member of the public, who called the police.
The victim was able to provide a good description of the attacker, and officers were able to recover CCTV of him.
PCs Declan McDevitt and Peter Jones, from the Yardley neighbourhood team were carrying out reassurance patrols in the area four days later when they spotted Sultankhail and ran after him.
He was cornered in Sparkbrook and arrested for the attack.
PC Jones said: “I was just concentrating on not letting him get away, due to the nature of the offence.
“I was also concentrated on communicating using my radio to other officers and the control room by letting them know where the suspect was running, in order to get more officers there in case we lost him in the foot chase.
“I felt immensely proud of myself and PC McDevitt as we have caught someone who has committed an horrific offence in broad daylight.
“I went home that day feeling satisfied that I have helped the victim get one step closer getting to the justice she deserves, and knowing that he won’t be able to commit another offence for a long time.”
In interview, Sultankhail denied ever speaking to or following the victim. But with the CCTV, forensic and witness evidence, he was left with no option but to plead guilty.
Last Friday (20 December), Sultankhail, aged 24, of Anderton Road, Birmingham, was jailed for five years and three months, and ordered to spend a further four years on licence, at Birmingham Crown Court.
Supt Emlyn Richards, from Birmingham Police, said: “This was absolutely first-rate work by these two officers, who have only relatively recently joined us.
“The footage shows how the two refused to let the suspect get away, and thanks to their determination, he’s now going to be spending many years behind bars.”
