London imam found guilty of raping women, young girls

A faith leader who used claims of supernatural powers to prey on women and children has been found guilty of a horrific catalogue of sexual crimes spanning over a decade.

Abdul Halim Khan, 54, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday of 21 counts, including rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offenses.

The court heard how Khan leveraged his authority at an east London mosque to manipulate seven victims—including three who were young teenagers at the time—into isolated locations where he carried out the attacks.

Between 2004 and 2015, Khan systematically exploited the trust of his local Muslim community. Prosecutors revealed that he used “black magic” as a tool of coercion, convincing his victims that meeting him was necessary to ward off misfortune. During the assaults, Khan claimed he was possessed by a “Jinn,” or evil spirit, to distance himself from his actions and further terrify his victims into silence.

The wall of silence was finally broken in February 2018, when Khan’s youngest victim sought help from a teacher. Following an investigation involving more than 50 witnesses, the Metropolitan Police charged Khan in March 2023.

In a statement following the verdict, one survivor detailed the enduring shadow cast by Khan’s betrayal.

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a profound and lasting impact on my life. What happened to me did not end when the abuse stopped, it affected my sense of safety, my ability to trust others, and the way I understood relationships and authority.

“Someone who should never have harmed me violated that trust, and the effects of that betrayal have stayed with me for many years and I continue to carry that trauma with me. Like many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, I 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.”

The survivor expressed hope that the conviction would serve as a beacon for others.

“Coming forward was an extremely difficult decision. Speaking about what happened meant revisiting painful memories and facing emotions I had tried to suppress for years. However, being listened to, believed, and treated with dignity throughout the investigation helped restore some of the trust that had been taken from me.

“I hope this outcome acknowledges not only the abuse itself, but the deep and lasting harm it causes. I also hope it encourages other survivors of childhood sexual abuse to know that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and that what happened to them matter, regardless of how much time has passed.”

The Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) praised the bravery of the women who stood up against a figure of such perceived spiritual power.

Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led the investigation, said: “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 inspiration to other victims and survivors. While nothing will undo the harm suffered by these women – yesterday’s conviction will hopefully offer a small measure of comfort.”

Khan has been remanded in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, May 14.

The post London imam found guilty of raping women, young girls appeared first on Vanguard News.