Abdul Halim Khan abused his position within the local community to abuse multiple women and girls, the Metropolitan Police said
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A former imam has been convicted of raping and sexually abusing women and children by luring them to his mosque where he would pretend to have "spiritual" powers.
Abdul Halim Khan abused his position as a respected faith leader to abuse multiple women and girls over an 11-year period between 2004 and 2015.
The 54-year-old persuaded each of the victims into meeting him at isolated places in London, including flats and quiet hidden locations to prevent harm falling on them.
Khan would then rape or sexually abuse the victims under the premise he would be possessed or disguised as a jinn (a supernatural spirit), the Crown Prosecution Service said.
The victims felt they had to keep these acts hidden and quiet from families and friends for fear of doing them harm via “black magic”, the CPS added.
Khan was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday of 21 offences including nine counts of rape.
Police first became aware of Khan’s offending in February 2018 when the youngest victim reported Khan to a teacher at her school, the Met Police said.
In his interviews, Khan, of Old Forde Road, London, repeatedly denied the allegations, stating it was a conspiracy and the victims had concocted a story for revenge, police said.
He 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.
He has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 14.
Follow the verdict, one of the survivors of Khan’s abuse 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."
Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led the investigation, added: "It shows remarkable strength for anyone to report abuse, especially when the abuser is believed to be a trusted figure.
"The seven women who came forward have shown extraordinary courage in speaking with police and I hope they serve as inspiration to other victims and survivors.
"While nothing will undo the harm suffered by these women, [the] conviction will hopefully offer a small measure of comfort. I’d like to thank the dedicated team of Met officers who left no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.
"We remain absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls, targeting dangerous offenders and removing them from London’s streets."