Court says former religious leader abused trust and authority to target victims

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

A former imam in east London, Abdul Halim Khan, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing women and girls, some as young as 12 years old.

Khan, 54, was handed a minimum jail term of 20 years after being found guilty of multiple rape, sexual assault and child sexual offences committed between 2005 and 2014.

The court heard that he used his position as a religious leader to manipulate and threaten victims from the local Muslim community.

Judge Leslie Cuthbert said Khan abused the trust and authority attached to his role for his own sexual gratification.

Prosecutors said he convinced some victims that they were possessed by evil spirits and threatened them with harm or “black magic” if they spoke out.

One victim told the court that Khan was “evil personified,” while another described years of fear, manipulation and emotional trauma.

The court also heard that Khan falsely claimed one young victim had ovarian cancer before taking her to a secluded place and raping her.

Police and prosecutors praised the courage of the victims for coming forward despite years of silence and fear.

Source: BBC