British prosecutors have secured a life sentence against an East London imam after he was found guilty of sexually abusing and raping women and young girls over a number of years.
Abdul Halim Khan, a 54-year-old imam based in East London, was sentenced to life imprisonment for years of sexual abuse and rape involving seven victims, including girls as young as 13.
According to the UK Crown Prosecution Service, Khan abused his religious position between 2005 and 2014. He allegedly manipulated victims by claiming they were possessed by “jinn” and that he had supernatural powers, before luring them to isolated locations where he assaulted them.
Prosecutors revealed that he intimidated victims and forced them into silence for years by threatening to use “black magic” against their families.
The judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court described Khan’s actions as “monstrous,” stressing that he hid behind a mask of religious devotion while exploiting the trust of vulnerable women for his own sexual gratification.
The case came to light after the youngest victim reported the abuse to her schoolteacher in 2018.
Khan was convicted of 21 offences, including rape of children under the age of 13. The court ruled that he must serve at least 20 years in prison before becoming eligible to apply for parole.