Former East London Imam Jailed for Life for Decade-Long Sexual Abuse of Women and Girls

A former imam in east London has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of sexually abusing women and girls over more than a decade by exploiting his position as a trusted religious leader.

Abdul Halim Khan , 54, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

The court heard that Khan targeted women and girls from the Bangladeshi Muslim community in Tower Hamlets between 2004 and 2015. Prosecutors said he manipulated victims by falsely claiming they were possessed by “ jinn ” or affected by black magic , using those fears to isolate and sexually abuse them.

In February this year, a jury found Khan guilty of 21 offences , including nine counts of rape, five counts of rape of a child under 13, sexual assault and assault by penetration. Some victims were as young as 12 years old .

According to the Metropolitan Police Service, the investigation began in 2018 after one victim disclosed the abuse to a school teacher. Officers later interviewed more than 50 witnesses and examined several mobile devices during the probe.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Khan used his status within the community to silence victims, warning them that harm would come to their families if they spoke out.

In a statement released through police, one survivor said speaking out was “terrifying” but hoped the verdict would encourage other abuse survivors to come forward.