London Horror: Ex-Imam jailed for life for abusing girls as young as 12

The crimes, which took place between 2004 and 2015, included 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.

Police say Khan exploited his position of religious authority in the local Muslim community to target victims, persuading them to meet him in isolated flats and concealed spaces.

Prosecutors told the court that he claimed supernatural powers, saying he was possessed by a jinn and warning victims that black magic would harm them if they disclosed the abuse.

He was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday.

During sentencing, Judge Leslie Cuthbert condemned Khan’s actions, saying he displayed a “deliberate distortion of the Muslim faith” and “took monstrous advantage of women who trusted you.”

She told him, “You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted seven females — both children and young women.”

The judge noted that Khan targeted women and girls from the Bangladeshi Muslim community because his role as an imam gave him authority, and because he believed shame and stigma would prevent them from reporting the abuse, the BBC reported.

Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Ronan, who led the investigation, said: “Abdul Khan presented himself as a respectable man who could be trusted. However, this was far from the truth, and he instead preyed upon and took advantage of others.”

Police became aware of Khan’s offending in February 2018 after the youngest victim disclosed the abuse to a schoolteacher.

Metropolitan Police detectives interviewed more than 50 witnesses and examined ten mobile phones while building the case.

Khan denied all the allegations, claiming the accusations were fabricated as part of a conspiracy for revenge.

Victims, who are members of the Bangladeshi Muslim community, described feeling “terrified, confused and powerless.” One said, “To me, Khan is not a human being; he is evil personified.”

Another said he had “exploited” her faith and vulnerability.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Khan arranged meetings at isolated locations before raping or sexually abusing victims, who feared harm through “black magic” if they spoke out.

A cultural expert helped the jury understand references to jinn and related spiritual beliefs during the trial.

Survivors said that by speaking out, they sought to reclaim strength, though “scars remain.”

Police praised the bravery of those who came forward and reminded anyone affected that support is available for survivors of sexual violence.