On 13 April 2023, he was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also banned from working with children, given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, and placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
Detective Constable Tracey Dixon said: “Abdus Sukur was a predatory criminal who took advantage of the trust of his young wife and her family.” He added: “A dangerous man has now been brought to justice and tough measures have been taken to prevent him from causing further harm.”
Unfortunately, Suqur is one of several imams convicted of child abuse in the UK in recent months:
Muhammad Asghar, a Quran teacher at Croydon Mosque and Islamic Centre, was found guilty of attempted rape and four counts of sexual assault against two boys and was sentenced to ten years in prison last month.
Bradford Mosque imam Mohammed Ilyas Alibhai was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child and was sentenced to one year in prison in February 2023, a sexual harm prevention order for five years and placed on the sex offenders' register for ten years.
Yusuf Sacha, a trusted “community leader” from Batley, was found guilty of 12 offences including rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in February 2023. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Thornes noted that “in committing these horrific crimes he abused his position as a community leader and the trust he held in him in the most appalling way”.
I welcome these perpetrators. These are individuals who held themselves up as moral bulwarks, religious leaders and pillars of the community, who by virtue of their position were entrusted with the protection and care of children. By torturing children, these perpetrators have not only grossly violated the trust and confidence of many in them, but they have also tarnished the reputation of their religion.
These types of incidents are important in highlighting the fact that child abuse occurs in all communities and that walls are beginning to close on those whose ego has allowed them to evade justice for so long and continue to commit crimes without fear of reprisal. It is crucial to acknowledge the sad reality that child abuse is a multi-cultural issue and to actively participate in this discussion, so that victims of all backgrounds feel supported and empowered to come forward.
I applaud the bravery of the victims who came forward in the above incidents, especially since they belong to a community where child sexual abuse is not a topic of public discussion and it is difficult to talk about it.
I sincerely hope that the courage shown by these victims, which has resulted in the imprisonment of their abusers, will now encourage others to come forward to expose their abuse and ensure that their abusers are brought to justice.
It is a well-established fact that child abuse has a devastating impact on the mental health and development of victims. Seeing the abuser sent to prison is often just the beginning of the healing process, and seeking redress through a civil claim for compensation can provide the closure many victims need, not only by providing the financial support needed for things like specialist therapy, but also by acknowledging the wrongdoing.
When an abuser is convicted of a crime, victims can claim compensation against him, if he has sufficient assets to satisfy the claim. They can also claim against the organization that employed the abuser, so that it is also held accountable. It is therefore important to urge victims to seek legal advice in this regard.
