A former imam who coerced his victims, some as young as 12, into believing he had supernatural powers, has been found guilty of 21 sexual offences, including nine counts of rape.
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, of Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, in east London, used his position as a respected faith leader to abuse multiple women and girls between 2004 and 2015, the Metropolitan Police said.
He was convicted of nine counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of assault by penetration at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday.
Khan persuaded victims to meet him at isolated spots, including flats and quiet, hidden locations, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
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”, the CPS said.
His offending came to police attention in 2018 when the youngest victim reported him to a teacher at her school, the force said.
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When questioned, Khan repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them a conspiracy and saying the victims had made them up for revenge, police said.
Khan was eventually charged in March 2023.
A survivor of his abuse, speaking after the verdict, said what she suffered as a child “has had a profound and lasting impact”.
She said she still carried the trauma with her, having “lived with shame, fear and confusion that were not mine to carry. The loss of trust, in people, in systems, and at times in myself, shaped much of my adult life.
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“I hope this outcome acknowledges not only the abuse itself, but the deep and lasting harm it causes.
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Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led the investigation, said the seven women who came forward showed “extraordinary courage”, adding she hoped that Khan’s conviction would “offer a small measure of comfort”.
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Melissa Garner, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said Khan “abused his position of trust and authority to carry out a vicious series of rapes and sexual abuses against seven victims, including three vulnerable teenage girls.”
She added: “Khan coerced and deceived them into thinking that he possessed supernatural powers which could protect them and their families from harm in exchange for hideous acts of sexual abuse without their consent”.
Khan will be sentenced next month.
