An imam who subjected women and girls as young as 12 to rape and sexual assault after claiming he had supernatural powers has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years. Abdul Halim Khan, an Indian national, exploited his respected position as a faith leader to abuse seven women and girls within the Muslim community over a nine-year period, between 2005 and 2014, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. The 54-year-old, from Old Forde Road, east London, was an imam at a mosque who systematically lured his victims into isolated locations, including private flats and secluded spots, prosecutors revealed. Khan would then proceed to rape or sexually abuse them under the guise of being possessed by or disguised as a jinn, a supernatural spirit, the court was told. Victims were reportedly coerced into silence, fearing that speaking out would bring harm to their families through "black magic”, according to prosecutors.…