A faith leader from east London who said he had spiritual powers has been convicted of multiple sexual offences against women and children over more than 10 years.
Abdul Halim Khan, from Old Ford Road in Tower Hamlets, exploited his position in the community between 2004 and 2015, using claims of spiritual powers to coerce victims into sexual acts, reports our sister site London Now.
A jury heard that the 54-year-old manipulated multiple victims, including girls as young as 12, and threatened harm to their families to maintain control over them.
He was found guilty of 21 offences, including nine counts of rape, at the end of a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
The offences also included 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.
Police first became aware of Khan’s offending in February 2018 after the youngest victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher at her school.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service launched an investigation and spent several years gathering evidence.
Officers interviewed more than 50 witnesses and examined ten mobile phones as part of the case.
During police interviews, Khan repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming the accusations were a conspiracy and that the victims had fabricated their accounts out of revenge.
He was charged on March 16, 2023, following enquiries by detectives.
Khan has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on May 14.
One of the survivors of Khan’s abuse, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, said: “The abuse I suffered as a child has had a profound and lasting impact on my life.
“What happened to me did not end when the abuse stopped, it affected my sense of safety, my ability to trust others, and the way I understood relationships and authority.
“Someone who should never have harmed me violated that trust, and the effects of that betrayal have stayed with me for many years and I continue to carry that trauma with me.
“Like many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, I lived with shame, fear, and confusion that were not mine to carry.
“The loss of trust, in people, in systems, and at times in myself, shaped much of my adult life.
“Coming forward was an extremely difficult decision.
“Speaking about what happened meant revisiting painful memories and facing emotions I had tried to suppress for years.
“However, being listened to, believed, and treated with dignity throughout the investigation helped restore some of the trust that had been taken from me.
“I am grateful to the Metropolitan Police officers who handled my case with care, professionalism, and sensitivity.
“I hope this outcome acknowledges not only the abuse itself, but the deep and lasting harm it causes.
“I also hope it encourages other survivors of childhood sexual abuse to know that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and that what happened to them matter, regardless of how much time has passed.”
Police have urged anyone affected by the case, or with information relating to Khan, to contact officers via 101 quoting Operation Sparebank, or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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