A UK court has sentenced Imam Abdul Halim Khan to life imprisonment for the rape of women and minors.

A statement by the UK Metropolitan police said Mr Khan was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday.

Mr Khan, 54, was found guilty on Friday, February 13, of 21 sexual offences against seven victim-survivors, including nine counts of rape. 

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years to serve.

Investigations revealed that for over 11 years, between 2004 and 2015, Mr Khan abused his position as a respected faith leader within the local community, pretending to have spiritual powers to coerce and sexually abuse girls as young as 12. 

He manipulated the victims, threatening harm to their families in an attempt to continue his extensive act. 

Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Ronan, whose team led the investigation into Mr Khan’s sexual abuse of women and minors, 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.”

“Today, I want to focus on the victim-survivors, who have shown remarkable bravery in reporting Khan and great strength throughout the trial.