A former imam in the UK has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing four young girls inside a mosque. The shocking case has drawn national attention due to the abuse taking place in a place of worship where children should have felt safe.

The offender, Qari Sher Mohammad, 61, served as imam at the Muslim Community Centre in Chatham, Kent. Over nearly a decade, he exploited his position of trust to target vulnerable children, committing repeated acts of abuse between 2014 and 2023.

Concerns about his behavior first surfaced in 2018 when one victim bravely reported that he had assaulted her inside the mosque. Although he was questioned by police, he was not charged at the time due to fears of the emotional toll a trial would have on the child.

Sadly, between May 2022 and December 2023, Mohammad continued his predatory actions by assaulting three more children. His arrest in December 2023 came after the original victim, now an adult, stepped forward again to fully support legal proceedings against him.

In March 2025, a jury at Canterbury Crown Court convicted Mohammad on 16 counts of sexual assault. Alongside his ten-year prison sentence, he will also face a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years after release.

Detectives praised the bravery of the children and their families for coming forward. Police emphasized that the victims' courage was instrumental in ensuring justice, highlighting the devastating impact of abuse and the importance of safeguarding children everywhere.


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