Photographer jailed for sexually assaulting a drunk woman

A man who ran a photography studio which targeted aspiring models has been jailed for sexually assaulting a former client.

Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, of Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment at Hendon Crown Court on Friday, 21 July after being found guilty of two counts of rape of a woman 16 years or over and one count of attempted rape of a woman 16 years or over at the conclusion of a seven-day trial.

When he is released he will also have a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed on him.

Detective Constable Sophie Baker, from the Central North Command, said: “The victim survivor in this case was fantastic from start to finish. 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 can be daunting but she did amazingly and I am personally very proud of her bravery and thankful to her for coming forward.

“We also believe there could be other victims of Sayanthan and would encourage anyone who wants to speak to us to come forward. No piece of information is too small and you will be listened to and supported.”

The court heard how the victim survivor, a woman in her 30s, attended Sayanthan’s photography studio on Brompton Road in May 2022., where she paid for photographs to be taken. The victim met with him again on 8 July, 2022 for a drink; she believed this was part of the networking process associated with this agency. He had previously contacted her online to arrange this.

The victim met Sayanthan at a public house in Warren Street at 19:40hrs. He encouraged her to drink alcohol which made her intoxicated, very quickly. He then led the victim to his studio. Here she blacked out on the studio floor. When partially awake she was aware of him sexually assaulting her. She was unable to respond verbally or physically.

She eventually woke up to find him putting her clothes back on her. He walked her to the station.

The victim, a Chinese national, reported the offences to police on 31 July, 2022. She did not tell the police earlier because she did not know how or if rape was investigated in the UK.

Detectives from Central North Command carried out an investigation. They discovered Transport for London CCTV footage of the victim arriving at Warren Street Station and then footage of her back at the station nearly four hours later. Sayanthan is seen directing the victim to the tube station. The victim was noticeably unsteady on her feet. She provided a visually recorded interview in August, and once the suspect was identified he was arrested during a pre-planned warrant in September. Statements were gathered from studio staff and further research uncovered several other photography businesses owned by the suspect.