A UK court on Friday found Imam Abdul Halim Khan guilty of multiple sexual offences, including the rape of girls as young as 12.
Khan, 54, of Old Ford Road, London, was convicted of 21 offences, the Metropolitan Police said on Saturday. The charges include nine counts of rape, five counts of rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and one count of assault by penetration.
Police said the offending took place over more than a decade, between 2004 and 2015, during which Khan “abused his position as a respected faith leader within the local community, pretending to have spiritual powers to coerce and sexually abuse girls as young as 12. He manipulated the victims, threatening harm to their families in an attempt to continue his extensive offending,” the statement added.
Khan has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, May 14.
Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led the investigation, praised the courage of those who came forward. “It shows remarkable strength for anyone to report abuse, especially when the abuser is believed to be a trusted figure. The seven women who came forward have shown extraordinary courage in speaking with police, and I hope they serve as an inspiration to other victims and survivors,” she said.
