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A 54-year-old imam from East London has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years after sexually assaulting and raping multiple women and girls, some as young as 12. He exploited his role as a respected religious leader to prey on seven victims in the Muslim community over nearly a decade, from 2005 to 2014, Crown Court heard.
Imam Abdul Halim Khan convinced each victim to meet him at secluded locations, including apartments and quiet spots, promising to heal them using supernatural jinns to bring happiness and to rid them of evil spirits. Instead, he subjected them to sexual violence, claiming possession or disguise as a jinn, the court was told.
His victims believed they had to keep their experiences secret, fearing harm through black magic if they disclosed what had happened, prosecutors stated.
Judge Leslie Cuthbert addressed Khan during sentencing, condemning his betrayal of trust: “Behind the facade of holiness, you took advantage of women who trusted you, solely for your own sexual gratification. You brazenly raped and assaulted seven women — including children and young women. You acted as if you were untouchable, confident that your victims, all from the same community, would not overcome the shame or stigma to report you.”
He described Khan’s actions as an unchecked campaign of abuse, calling it a “serial” pattern of rape and child abuse that caused immense harm.
The judge also expressed concern about Khan’s ongoing danger to society, especially given that some community members still hold him in high regard, which could encourage further victimization.
Khan was convicted on 21 counts of rape and sexual assault. One victim, tearfully, told the court, “Khan is not a human; he is evil personified,” recounting how fear and manipulation kept her silent, with threats extending to her family. She emphasized that he remains a threat to society as long as he lives.
Another young victim described feeling “terrified, confused, and powerless,” alleging Khan exploited her faith and vulnerability to terrorize her.
Police first learned of Khan’s misconduct in February 2018 after his youngest victim reported him at school. During interviews, Khan repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming a conspiracy and that the victims had fabricated stories for revenge, according to authorities. He maintains his innocence.
He faced convictions for nine counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of raping a child under 13, and one assault by penetration. Prosecutor Melissa Garner highlighted that Khan abused his trusted position over many years, manipulating victims into silence with their faith, and instilling fear of familial repercussions should they speak out.
Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Ronan, who led the investigation, praised the victims for their bravery and emphasized the importance of ongoing support. She stated that Khan, who presented himself as trustworthy, was actually a predator who used religion as a tool for exploitation. She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to fighting violence against women and girls and removing dangerous offenders from the streets.
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