Summary: A UK court has convicted former East London imam Abdul Halim Khan of 21 sexual offences, including rape, after he abused his position as a faith leader to coerce and exploit victims between 2004 and 2015.
A UK court has found Abdul Halim Khan, 54, guilty of multiple sexual offences, including the rape of girls as young as 12.
The former imam of Bethnal Green, east London, was convicted on 21 counts, including 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.
Between 2004 and 2015, Abdul Halim abused his position as a faith leader, pretending to have spiritual powers to coerce and sexually exploit young girls. The survivors were threatened with harm to their families if they disclosed the abuse, leaving them feeling unable to speak out.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Khan persuaded survivors to meet him in isolated locations, including flats and quiet spots, before raping or sexually assaulting them, claiming he was possessed or disguised as a jinn, a supernatural spirit.
The offences came to light in 2018 when the youngest survivor reported the abuse to a teacher at her school. Khan denied all allegations, claiming they were false and motivated by revenge, and was formally charged in March 2023.
Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led the investigation, praised the survivors’ courage:
“It shows remarkable strength for anyone to report abuse, especially when the abuser is believed to be a trusted figure. The women who came forward have shown extraordinary courage in speaking with police, and I hope they serve as an inspiration to other victims and survivors.”
Abdul Halim Khan has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 14, 2026.
