Abdul Halim Khan found guilty of 21 counts including child rape; youngest victim was 12.
A former imam has been convicted of multiple sexual offences against women and girls, including children as young as 12, after exploiting his religious position to manipulate and control his victims through claims of black magic and jinn possession.
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, was found guilty on Friday at Snaresbrook Crown Court of 21 counts including rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offences. The crimes spanned more than a decade, from 2004 to 2015, and involved seven victims—three of whom were teenage girls, the youngest just 12 years old at the time of the abuse.
According to court proceedings, Khan used his standing at an east London mosque to convince victims that he possessed supernatural powers. He lured them to isolated locations under the pretense of offering protection from spiritual harm. During the attacks, he allegedly claimed to be possessed by a “Jinn” (evil spirit) to explain his actions, leaving victims too terrified to report him for fear of black magic retaliation.
The abuse remained hidden for years until February 2018, when the youngest victim disclosed the ordeal to a teacher, triggering an investigation that ultimately led to Khan’s conviction.
Khan was found guilty of:
· 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
· One count of assault by penetration
Sentencing has been scheduled for May 14, 2026.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community and sparked renewed conversations about the abuse of religious authority, the vulnerability of young congregants, and the cultural barriers that prevent victims from speaking out.
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