A Birmingham man has been sentenced to over five years in prison following a harrowing daylight rape on Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath. The swift and decisive actions of two student police officers led to the arrest of 24-year-old Awalkhan Sultankhail, who attacked his victim in a park on 27 August 2023.
Sultankhail initially approached the woman, attempting to engage her in conversation. When she walked away, he pursued her into the bushes and raped her. His crime was interrupted by a member of the public, who called the police as Sultankhail fled the scene.
The victim provided a detailed description of her attacker, which, combined with recovered CCTV footage, enabled officers to identify the suspect. Four days later, student officers PC Declan McDevitt and PC Peter Jones, on patrol in the Yardley area, spotted Sultankhail and gave chase.
The dramatic pursuit ended at the junction of Ladypool Road and Beechfield Road in Sparkbrook, where the officers successfully cornered and arrested Sultankhail.
Reflecting on the chase, PC Jones said:
“I was just concentrating on not letting him get away, due to the nature of the offence. Communicating with the control room and guiding additional officers was crucial to ensuring he didn’t evade capture. I’m proud that we helped the victim get closer to the justice she deserves.”
Sultankhail denied involvement during his police interview, but overwhelming evidence, including CCTV, forensic findings, and witness testimonies, forced him to plead guilty.
On 20 December 2023, Birmingham Crown Court sentenced Sultankhail to five years and three months in prison, with an additional four years on licence.
Superintendent Emlyn Richards commended the officers’ determination, stating:
“This was absolutely first-rate work by two officers who have only recently joined us. Their dedication ensured the suspect could not escape justice, and he will now spend many years behind bars.”
West Midlands Police continues to recruit for a variety of roles in 2025, encouraging those seeking a rewarding career to join their ranks. Starting salaries for police officers begin at £29,907, with opportunities to earn over £46,000 within seven years.
For more information, visit the West Midlands Police recruitment page.