An imam who raped and sexually assaulted women and girls as young as 12, claiming he had supernatural powers, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years. Abdul Halim Khan, 54, from east London, exploited his position as a faith leader to abuse seven victims over nine years, between 2005 and 2014, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
Khan, an Indian national, lured victims to isolated locations, including private flats, and raped or abused them under the guise of being possessed by or disguised as a jinn, a supernatural spirit. Prosecutors said victims were coerced into silence, fearing that speaking out would bring harm to their families through 'black magic'.
Sentencing Khan, Judge Leslie Cuthbert condemned his actions as an 'unrestrained campaign of rape and abuse of women and girls' and said he continued to pose a 'grave danger'. Khan was convicted of 21 offences, including nine counts of rape and five counts of rape of a child under 13.
One victim, who was a child when abused, told the court: 'To me, Khan is not a human being, he is evil personified.' Another said she was left 'terrified, confused and powerless'. Police became aware of Khan's offending in February 2018 when the youngest victim reported him to a teacher. He denied the allegations, claiming a conspiracy, and continues to maintain his innocence.
