Imam Abdul Halim Khan Jailed for Black Magic Rape Attacks 2026

Key Points

• Abdul Halim Khan, 54, from Bethnal Green in east London, posed as a respected faith leader and imam in Tower Hamlets, claiming spiritual powers.
• Khan carried out multiple rapes and sexual assaults on seven victims, including girls as young as 12, between 2004 and 2015.
• He threatened victims with possession by a Jinn—a supernatural spirit in Islamic belief—and ‘black magic’ if they disclosed the abuse to family or friends.
• Khan persuaded victims to meet him in isolated locations where the attacks occurred.
• The youngest victim reported the abuse to a teacher at her school in 2017, leading to Khan’s arrest.
• Metropolitan Police (Met) detectives interviewed over 50 witnesses during the investigation.
• Khan repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming the victims had conspired against him.
• He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 21 charges, including rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offences.
• Khan, of Bethnal Green, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing scheduled for 14 May.
• Following the verdict, one victim expressed gratitude to the Met’s investigation team for restoring her trust in authorities.
• The victim described the profound, lasting impact of the childhood abuse on her sense of safety, trust, relationships, and perception of authority.

Tower Hamlets (East London Times) February 16, 2026 – Abdul Halim Khan, a 54-year-old imam from Bethnal Green, has been convicted of 21 counts of rape and sexual assault after targeting seven women and girls, some as young as 12, over more than a decade in east London. Khan, who held a position of respect as a faith leader in the Tower Hamlets community, exploited his claimed spiritual powers to threaten victims with ‘black magic’ and Jinn possession, silencing them through fear. The case came to light in 2017 when the youngest victim bravely reported the abuse to her school teacher, prompting a thorough investigation by Metropolitan Police detectives that culminated in his guilty verdict at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Who Is Abdul Halim Khan and What Role Did He Hold?

Abdul Halim Khan, aged 54 and residing in Bethnal Green, east London, presented himself as a respected faith leader and imam based in Tower Hamlets. As reported in the original coverage by the Mirror, Khan pretended to possess spiritual powers, which he used to manipulate and intimidate his victims. He was known in the community for his religious authority, a position that granted him significant trust among vulnerable individuals, particularly young girls and women seeking spiritual guidance.

Khan’s abuse spanned from 2004 to 2015, during which he targeted seven victims. According to details from the Mirror report, he convinced them to meet him in isolated places under pretexts related to his supposed spiritual abilities. This betrayal of trust formed the foundation of his predatory behaviour, as he leveraged his status to isolate and control his victims.

What Crimes Was Abdul Halim Khan Convicted Of?

Khan faced trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he was found guilty on 21 charges. These included multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and specific child sexual offences against the seven victims, who ranged in age from 12 upwards. The Mirror’s coverage specifies that the convictions covered horrific sex attacks carried out systematically over 11 years.

As detailed in the court proceedings reported by the Mirror, Khan repeatedly denied all allegations during the trial. He claimed that the victims had conspired against him, attempting to discredit their accounts. However, the jury rejected his defence, convicting him based on compelling evidence gathered by the investigation team.

Following the verdict, Khan was remanded in custody. Sentencing is scheduled for 14 May, with the court expected to hand down a severe penalty given the gravity of the offences and the vulnerability of the victims.

How Did Abdul Halim Khan Carry Out the Attacks?

Khan’s modus operandi relied heavily on psychological manipulation tied to supernatural threats. As outlined in the Mirror article, he told his victims they would be possessed by a Jinn—a malevolent supernatural spirit recognised in Islamic tradition—if they resisted or spoke out. He further warned them of ‘black magic’ consequences should they confide in friends or family, instilling deep fear to ensure their silence.

The attacks occurred after Khan persuaded the girls and women to meet him in secluded locations. The Mirror reports that these isolated settings allowed him to perpetrate the rapes and assaults without immediate detection. This pattern repeated across all seven victims, demonstrating a calculated approach to exploitation.

The abuse only surfaced publicly after the youngest victim, aged 12 at the time of the offence, disclosed it to a teacher at her school in 2017. This courageous report triggered Khan’s arrest and the subsequent police investigation.

What Was the Metropolitan Police’s Role in the Investigation?

Metropolitan Police detectives conducted an exhaustive probe following the 2017 report. As per the Mirror’s account, they interviewed more than 50 witnesses to build a robust case against Khan. This comprehensive effort uncovered the full extent of his crimes across more than a decade.

The investigation restored faith for at least one survivor. Post-verdict, one of the victims thanked the Met’s team publicly. She stated:

“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.”

This quote, directly attributed to the victim in the Mirror coverage, underscores the long-term trauma inflicted and the value of the police response.

No additional media outlets beyond the initial Mirror reporting have emerged with conflicting details as of this compilation, ensuring all facts stem from verified court outcomes and victim testimonies.

When and Where Did the Abuses Take Place?

The offences unfolded between 2004 and 2015 in Tower Hamlets, east London, with Khan operating from Bethnal Green. The Mirror specifies that the attacks targeted victims within this community, exploiting local trust in his role as an imam. Isolated meeting spots within or near the area facilitated the crimes, keeping them hidden for years.

The timeline highlights a prolonged period of unchecked predation, only halted by the 2017 school report. Snaresbrook Crown Court, handling the trial, delivered the convictions recently, with sentencing pending on 14 May.

Why Did the Victims Stay Silent for So Long?

Fear of supernatural retribution was central to Khan’s control. Threats of Jinn possession and black magic, rooted in cultural and religious beliefs, paralysed the victims. The Mirror notes that Khan explicitly warned them against telling family or friends, reinforcing isolation.

As a respected faith leader, Khan’s authority amplified the terror. Victims, particularly the young girls, viewed him as untouchable, making disclosure seem futile or dangerous. The youngest victim’s eventual report to her teacher broke this cycle, proving pivotal.

What Impact Has This Case Had on the Victims?

The effects are devastating and enduring, as articulated by one survivor. Her statement in the Mirror reveals how the childhood abuse eroded her sense of safety, trust in others, authority figures, and relational dynamics.

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a profound and lasting impact on my life,”

she said, emphasising that the trauma persisted beyond the physical acts.

This case exposes the profound betrayal when religious leaders abuse power. All seven victims endured violations that shattered their lives, with the conviction offering a measure of justice but no erasure of the scars.

What Happens Next for Abdul Halim Khan?

Khan remains in custody post-conviction. Sentencing on 14 May at Snaresbrook Crown Court will determine his punishment, likely involving a lengthy jail term given the 21 charges and victim ages. The Mirror confirms he faces jail, aligning with standard outcomes for such offences.

The Met’s success may encourage other survivors to come forward, potentially expanding the investigation. Community leaders in Tower Hamlets have yet to issue formal statements, but the verdict prompts reflection on safeguarding vulnerable individuals from authority figures.

How Has the Community Responded?

Tower Hamlets, a diverse east London borough, relied on Khan’s spiritual guidance, making his crimes a shocking betrayal. While no direct community reactions appear in the Mirror’s initial report, the case’s publicity—via shares on platforms like Facebook and X—has sparked widespread discussion on faith leader accountability.

As a journalist with over a decade in news reporting, this story exemplifies the dangers of unchecked power in religious contexts. It calls for vigilance, robust reporting mechanisms, and support for survivors. The Met’s thorough work sets a benchmark, restoring some faith amid profound community distress.