The 61-year-old former imam targeted his vulnerable victims over a 10-year period
A Newham community leader who abused his position of trust to sexually assault four children has been jailed. Qari Sher Mohammad, of Woodford Road, Forest Gate, was working as an imam in Chatham, Kent, when he touched a young girl inappropriately whilst carrying out duties at a mosque.
The 61-year-old struck repeatedly between March 2014 and October 2016, before his victim raised the alarm in 2018. He was arrested and interviewed in April that year but was not charged due to concerns the trial would severely impact the child.
Then, between May 2022 and December 2023, Mohammad targeted three other children and was arrested on December 11. He was charged with sexual touching of a child, and later found guilty of 16 counts at Canterbury Crown Court in March of this year.
His perverted abuse has today (Friday, September 12) landed him 10 years behind bars and a 5-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon his release.
Detective Constable Conor Middleton, of Kent Police, said: “This man was in a position of authority when these appalling offences were committed. The children showed immense courage by reporting his actions and I would like to commend them and their parents for assisting our investigation.
“Mohammad is now serving a prison sentence and he should reflect on his actions and the impact they had on these vulnerable victims.”
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