Imam awaits sentencing for raping young boy

A Muslim cleric is due to be sentenced today after he was convicted of raping a young boy as he attended Islamic education lessons at his mosque.

Mohammed Hanif Khan, 42, was also found guilty by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court of sexual activity with a child, as well as the two counts of rape.

The charges, which Khan denied, relate to two boys who attended the mosque in Capper Street, Stoke-on-Trent, where he was imam, in 2009.

Prosecutor Tariq Bin Shakoor told the jury that part of Khan's job was to lead prayers and give Islamic education lessons to boys at evening classes.

He told the court that one of the boys claimed in police interviews that he was singled out by Khan, of Owler Lane, Sheffield, after evening prayer on several occasions.

He was sexually assaulted in various areas of the mosque which were not covered by CCTV, Mr Shakoor told the court.

The other boy was assaulted when he was an overnight guest at Khan's house, the jury of six men and six women was told.