UK imam who sexually abused children jailed for 10 years

An imam who used his position to sexually abuse children in Kent, United Kingdom, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Qari Sher Mohammad, 61, was found guilty of targeting four children over the course of nearly a decade before his victims came forward.

He received a 10-year custodial sentence on Friday and will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years following his release.

The first allegation against him was raised in 2018, when a child reported being touched inappropriately while Qari Sher was performing his duties at the Muslim Community Centre in Thorold Road. The abuse was said to have taken place between March 2014 and October 2016.

Although he was arrested and questioned in April 2018, the case did not progress at that time due to concerns about the potential impact a trial could have on the young complainant.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, Qari Sher went on to sexually assault three more children. He was arrested again on December 11, 2023.

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During this investigation, officers revisited the original 2018 complainant, who by then was an adult and confirmed she was prepared to support a prosecution.

Qari Sher, of Woodford Road, Forest Gate, London, was subsequently charged with multiple counts of sexual touching of a child. He denied all charges, but on March 7, 2025, was convicted on 16 counts at Canterbury Court.

Detective Constable Conor Middleton, who led the investigation, 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.”