AJAZ KARIM SENTENCED IN HAMMERSMITH FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT CHRIST’S HOSPITAL SCHOOL IN WEST SUSSEX

In August 2018, Ajaz Karim, a former private school sports coach, was handed a significant prison sentence of ten years following his conviction for a series of serious sexual offenses. Additionally, he was designated as a registered sex offender for life and was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect until further notice from the court. This order imposes strict restrictions on his access to young people, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

Back in April 2018, Karim faced justice at Brighton Crown Court where he was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of students. The court convicted him of nine counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault, involving six girls aged between 14 and 18 years old. The abuse took place during his tenure at Christ’s Hospital School, located in Horsham, West Sussex, spanning from 1985 to 1993. Karim, now 63 years old, did not show any visible reaction when the verdicts were announced. Sitting in the courtroom were his son and ex-wife, who observed the proceedings from the back.

Judge Christine Henson QC emphasized that Karim would face a lengthy period behind bars, and he was remanded into custody immediately following the sentencing. The allegations detailed disturbing incidents where Karim engaged in inappropriate physical contact with students. It was reported that he massaged a student’s “virtually naked body” while she lay face down on the floor of his locked study. In another incident, he pushed a different student against a wall and kissed her. Karim claimed that his actions were part of an alternative therapy called the Bowen Technique, which he purported to teach as a method of breathing exercises to aid athletic performance. However, during cross-examination, he admitted that he held no formal qualifications in this practice.

The misconduct came to light after complaints from four pupils surfaced between 1990 and 1993. Despite the allegations, senior staff at the school initially failed to report Karim to the police, allowing him to continue working and even teach the girls involved. This failure to act drew criticism from the victims, who felt the school’s response was inadequate and mishandled the situation. Karim, who is divorced and has a 26-year-old son, described himself as an “arrogant young coach” whose role was to “bring out the potential in students.”

He was once regarded as a “success story” within the school community, partly because he was a refugee who earned a scholarship and returned to teach at Christ’s Hospital. His career also included positions at prestigious institutions such as Eton College, and he worked at notable clubs like Queen’s Club and The Hurlingham Club. His fees were even paid for by Sir Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bouncing bomb. Despite his professional achievements, Karim’s conduct towards students was marred by “wholly unnecessary” physical contact, which many now see as inappropriate and predatory.

One victim recounted how Karim laughed as she ran away after attempting to kiss her, describing her shock at his audacity. Another victim revealed that after she complained about his behavior, Karim spread rumors about her, which led to other pupils turning against her. She expressed that the experience had caused her to write off a significant part of her life. Karim dismissed these allegations, insisting that he was friendly with students and that there was nothing sexual about their interactions. He also accused some victims of being manipulative attention seekers and claimed to have been “really good looking at the time,” which he said offended him when accused of being attracted to a student.

In the broader context of abuse at Christ’s Hospital School, other former staff members have also faced justice. For instance, Peter Webb, a retired housemaster aged 74, was sentenced to four years in prison in December after pleading guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault involving four boys, the youngest being 11, over a period spanning the 1970s and 1980s. Similarly, Peter Burr, aged 73, received a four-year sentence in January after admitting to nine counts of indecent assault on four boys aged 11 to 14, committed between 1969 and 1973. These cases highlight a troubling pattern of abuse within the institution, which has been under scrutiny for its handling of such allegations over the years.