Imam who raped and sexually abused seven women and girls as young as 12 is jailed for life

An imam who raped and sexually assaulted women and girls as young as 12 after telling them he had supernatural powers has been jailed for life.

Abdul Halim Khan, 54, of Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, east London, used his position as a respected faith leader to abuse multiple women and girls between 2004 and 2015, the Metropolitan Police said.

In February he was convicted 21 counts including nine counts of rape, four of sexual assault, two of sexual assault of a child under 13, five of rape of a child under 13 and one count of assault by penetration.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, he was handed a life sentence and told he will serve a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Handing down sentence, Judge Leslie Cuthbert said that "behind a public appearance of propriety and holiness you took monstrous advantage of women who trusted you, all for your own sexual satisfaction".

"You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted seven females - both children and young women," she told Khan. "You behaved as if you were untouchable.

"You were confident that none of the victims, who came from the same community in which you were an imam, would overcome the potential shame and stigma they might sadly feel, or be exposed to, by reporting you.

"You were confident that if they did come forward it would be you and not they who would be believed."

'Evil personified'

In a victim impact statement read to court on Thursday, the victim, who was a child when Khan abused her, said: "To me, Khan is not a human being, he is evil personified."

She told the court that Khan used "lies and manipulation" to instil fear, and that he hid "under the guise of a religious man".

The woman then added that the former imam "stole the autonomy I should have had over my own body" and that she was "caged" into staying silent because of his threats about members of her family.

"He is a danger to society and he will continue being a danger for as long as he lives," she said

Another victim, who was also a child when the abuse took place, said she was left "terrified, confused and powerless" by Khan - who "exploited" her faith and vulnerability to "terrorise" her.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Khan persuaded victims to meet him at isolated spots, including flats and quiet, hidden locations.

He would then rape or sexually abuse them, saying he would be possessed or disguised as a jinn, or supernatural spirit, the CPS added.

Victims felt they had to keep these acts hidden and quiet from families and friends, or they may be harmed by "black magic".

All seven victims, three of whom were young teenage girls at the time, were members of the local Bangladeshi Muslim community and initially feared reporting him due to his position of trust and authority in the community.

The Met Police added his offending came to police attention in 2018 when the youngest victim reported him to a teacher at her school.

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In his interviews with officers, Khan repeatedly denied the allegations, stating it was a conspiracy and the victims had concocted a story for revenge.

Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Ronan, whose team led the Met Police investigation, praised "the victim-survivors, who have shown remarkable bravery in reporting Khan and great strength throughout the trial".

She said: "We hope that today's outcome provides a measure of comfort as they continue to rebuild their lives and serves as a reminder to anyone who has experienced sexual violence that support is available."

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