An imam who claimed he possessed supernatural powers has been jailed for life for a decade-long campaign of rape and sexual abuse against women and girls as young as 12. Abdul Halim Khan, 54, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday after being convicted of 21 offences including nine counts of rape, five counts of rape of a child under 13, and multiple sexual assaults.
Judge Leslie Cuthbert imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years, describing the Indian national as a “serial rapist and child abuser” who had waged an “unrestrained campaign of rape and abuse”. The judge told Khan: “Behind a public appearance of propriety and holiness you took monstrous advantage of women who trusted you, all for your own sexual satisfaction. You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted seven females – both children and young women. You behaved as if you were untouchable.”
Cuthbert noted that Khan, a former imam at a mosque in east London, was confident his victims would not report him because of the potential shame and stigma within their community. “You were confident that if they did come forward it would be you and not they who would be believed,” the judge added. He warned that Khan continued to represent “a grave danger to girls and women” and that “certain members of the community continue to hold you in high esteem”.
The Abuse and Manipulation
The court heard how Khan exploited his position as a respected religious leader to prey on seven women and girls from the Bangladeshi Muslim community in Tower Hamlets. Between 2004 and 2015, he persuaded his victims to meet him at isolated locations, including private flats and quiet, hidden spots, where he would rape or sexually assault them. Khan told the women and girls that he would become possessed or disguised as a “jinn” – a supernatural spirit – during the attacks.
Prosecutors said Khan used his victims’ faith as a tool of coercion. He claimed that meeting him was necessary to ward off misfortune, and that if they revealed the abuse, their families would be harmed by “black magic”. The victims felt they had to keep the assaults secret from friends and relatives for fear of damaging their families within the community. One victim told the court that Khan “stole the autonomy I should have had over my own body” and that she was “caged” into silence because of his threats about members of her family.
Melissa Garner, a specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Abdul Halim Khan abused his position as a trusted religious leader to prey on women and girls over many years, manipulating and controlling them for his own sexual gratification. He used their deeply held beliefs to instil fear and silence them, making them believe their families would be at risk if they ever spoke out.”
The Metropolitan Police investigation began in February 2018, when Khan’s youngest victim reported him to a teacher at her school. Officers interviewed more than 50 witnesses and examined ten mobile phones. Khan was charged in March 2023 and convicted in February this year. Throughout police interviews he denied the allegations, claiming a conspiracy and that the victims had concocted a story for revenge. The court heard he continues to maintain his innocence.
Victim Impact
Victims described the lasting damage caused by Khan’s actions. One woman, who was a child at the time of the abuse, tearfully told the court: “To me, Khan is not a human being, he is evil personified.” She said he hid “under the guise of a religious man” and that fear was instilled in her through his “lies and manipulation”. She added: “He is a danger to society and he will continue being a danger for as long as he lives.”
Another victim, also abused as a child, said in a statement read to the court that she was left “terrified, confused and powerless”. She said Khan used his position of authority to “terrorise” her and “exploited” her faith and vulnerability. Several survivors reported that the abuse affected their sense of safety, ability to trust, and understanding of relationships and authority. One victim disclosed that she had attempted suicide following the assault.
Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Ronan, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of the victims. “Today, I want to focus on the victim-survivors, who have shown remarkable bravery in reporting Khan and great strength throughout the trial,” she said. “We hope that today’s outcome provides a measure of comfort as they continue to rebuild their lives and serves as a reminder to anyone who has experienced sexual violence that support is available. We remain absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls, targeting dangerous offenders and removing them from London’s streets.”
