Northolt Imam Jailed For Sexually Abusing Pupils | |||||
Police urge anyone else tutored by Hafiz Pirzada to come forward
An Imam from Northolt has been jailed for sexually abusing two young girls when he tutored them privately ten years ago. Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada, 76 of Laughton Road, Northolt was sentenced to a total of eight years' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 21 January for child abuse offences. He was found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault of a child, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity after a trial at the same court in September 2017. The court heard how the victims, both sisters, came forward to speak to police in July 2015. 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 which dates back more than ten years, but despite the length of time since the incidents Pirzada has been convicted of his crimes. "Pirzada exploited the trust placed in him as a religious leader to assault these two young girls. "The victims have had to live with this trauma and the appalling abuse they endured for the years they were taught by Pirzada, and will have to live with these memories for the rest of their lives. "I would urge anyone who has been a victim of Pirzada to contact police; specially trained officers will be there to support you." Pirzada will also have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and a Sexual Harm Protection Order was issued. 22nd January 2019
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