A "cunning" and "manipulative" former imam in east London has been given a life sentence with a minimum prison term of 20 years for a series of sexual attacks on women and girls as young as 12.
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, was described as having abused the trust and authority that came with his position to carry out attacks against seven victims from the local Muslim community between 2005 and 2014.
In February, Khan was found guilty of 21 counts of rape, sexual assault and child sexual offences against victims at what were described as isolated places, including flats and hidden locations.
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I was sexually assaulted by an imam. He told me he had supernatural powe
"You had a position of significant power and authority, a position you systematically abused for your own base sexual gratification," the judge told the former imam at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
'Evil personified'
Judge Cuthbert talked of Khan specifically targeting women and girls from the Bangladeshi Muslim community because of his standing and the shame the victims might feel in speaking out about sexual abuse.
"You behaved as if you were untouchable. You were confident that if they did come forward it would be you and not they who would be believed," Cuthbert told Khan.
The court heard statements from some of the victims who all spoke of the severely detrimental impact the attacks had caused, with one talking about having tried to take her own life.
One of Khan's victims, who said she was a child when she was abused, tearfully told the court: "To me, Khan is not a human being, he is evil personified."
She said fear was instilled in her through Khan's "lies and manipulation", saying that he hid "under the guise of a religious man".
Resist comment: Even their own so-called religious leaders are evil. Why do we keep welcoming muslims into the UK? Why, when all they do is to rape underage girls, and commit acts of terrorism. Please ask your MPs/Councillors this question.