Mohammed Hanif Khan

A former Imam from Bradford has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for committing child sexual offences at one of the UK's largest mosques. Mohammed Hanif Khan, aged 57 and residing in Sheffield, was working at the Bradford Grand Mosque during the 1990s when the abuse took place. The court heard that Khan raped a teenage boy on five separate occasions, exploiting his position of trust within the community.

Bradford Crown Court learned of Khan's prior conviction in 2009 for sexual assault, for which he had already served a 16-year sentence. Despite this history, Khan had been in a role of authority as an Imam, looked up to by students and families at the mosque. The offences came to light through the bravery of the victim, who reported the crimes to West Yorkshire Police after many years.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Laura Casey of West Yorkshire Police commented on the case, stating: 'Khan was in a position of trust when he committed this horrific abuse on a child. As an Imam he was looked up to by students and family members within the community. He stole his victims' childhood.' She praised the victim's courage in coming forward and emphasised the police's commitment to investigating historical sexual offences, noting: 'The passage of time does not affect our dedication to ensuring victims are listened to, placed at the very heart of operations and supported by specialist services for as long as they need. This sentence serves as a timely reminder that no matter how long ago these offences took place, we will investigate and bring perpetrators to the courts.'

In addition to the 13-year custodial sentence, Khan will be subject to an extended licence period of three years following his release. The case underscores the long-reaching impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of the time elapsed since the crimes occurred. The sentencing was reported by Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire on 20th June 2025.