Hafiz Pirzada assaulted two sisters a decade ago

An Imam from Northolt has been found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls.

76-year-old Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada, of Laughton Road was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 October of ten counts of sexual abuse on two nine-year-old girls between 2007-2009. He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 19 November.

Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada

The court heard how the victims, both sisters, came forward to speak to police in July 2015. Between 2007 and 2009 the two girls, aged between nine and 11 when the abuse too place, were taught the Quran by Pirzada when he was an Imam appointed by the family. The abuse took place at an address in Newham.

On 28 July 2016, Pirzada was arrested at his home address and bailed pending further enquiries. He was later charged with all ten counts on 16 March 2018; eight counts of sexual assault with a female under 13, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Detective Sergeant Tony Killeen from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Team said, "This is a case stemming back ten years, but despite the length of time since the incidents Pirzada has been convicted of his crimes.

"The victims have shown a great degree of courage, persistence and determination in securing the conviction, having persevered with the allegation and supporting the police investigation.

"The victims have had to live with this trauma and the absolutely horrendous abuse they endured for the years they were under the control of Pirzada and will have to live with these memories for the rest of their lives.

"Pirzada used his level of trust as a religious leader to assault the girls. I would urge anyone who has been a victim of Pirzada to contact police - specially trained officers are there to support you."

October 4, 2018