Fake cop raped, stole from 'terrified' sex workers

A man pretending to be an AFP officer threatened two sex workers to pay him $8000 and have sex. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

A fake police officer printed a police ID from the internet and bought a gun holster from Spotlight before threatening two sex workers to pay him $8000 in cash and have sex with him.

Shivan Suresh Agravat on Wednesday pleaded guilty to rape and deception just one day into his trial in the SA District Court.

Armed with a gel blaster, the 35-year-old entered an Adelaide hotel room where the two young women, who had recently arrived in Australia, were staying. 

He convinced them that what they were doing was illegal and they would go to jail if they did not pay him.

"He had deceived them into paying him money on the pretence he was an AFP officer who had the power to arrest them," prosecutor Patrick Mulvihill told the court on Tuesday.

"He was no such thing and had no such power."

After receiving the cash, Agravat gave the women a further ultimatum: one of them had to have sex with him or they would both go to prison.

"The victim did it because she was fearful of being arrested, going to jail or being hurt by the accused," Mr Mulvihill said. 

"That's what this case is about. That was rape.

"Hoping a terrifying act will end is not consent."

Upon returning home, Agravat told his wife that he was raped by the women who held him down and smeared his semen over their bodies, the jury heard.

"We say that is utterly nonsense, entirely fanciful and untrue," Mr Mulvihill said.

Agravat's surprise guilty plea, after he had steadfastly maintained his innocence since his arrest in March 2020, stunned Judge Paul Muscat.

"The prosecution case against you was an overwhelming one," the judge told him.

"You have realised that now. You should have realised that a long time ago.

"This job never surprises me. Just when you think something's going to go one way it can turn and go another way."

Agravat was taken into custody, despite pleas from his lawyer that he be allowed to remain on bail to give him an opportunity to get his affairs in order as he is a foreign national and would likely be deported at the end of his prison sentence.

He will return to court for a sentencing hearing in December. 

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store