HAFIZ PIRZADA'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN NEWHAM AND NORTHOLT REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Newham and Northolt, Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada, a 76-year-old Imam, has been convicted of sexually abusing two young girls he was entrusted to teach the Quran. The heinous crimes took place between 2007 and 2009, when the victims, both sisters aged between nine and 11 at the time, were under Pirzada's guidance as part of his religious duties.

According to court proceedings, the girls came forward in July 2015 to report the abuse, which had been ongoing during their Quran lessons at an address in Newham. The court heard that Pirzada, who was appointed by the family as their Imam, exploited his position of trust to commit these acts of sexual assault. The abuse was severe enough to warrant a detailed investigation, culminating in his arrest on 28 July 2016 at his Northolt residence.

Following his arrest, Pirzada was placed on bail while authorities conducted further inquiries. The charges against him were formally brought on 16 March 2018, encompassing ten counts of sexual abuse. These included eight counts of sexual assault involving a girl under 13 and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The case was brought before Snaresbrook Crown Court, where Pirzada faced a jury.

On Tuesday, 2 October, the court found Pirzada guilty of all ten counts. The verdict confirmed his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and he was subsequently sentenced to a total of eight years in prison on Monday, 21 January. In addition to his imprisonment, Pirzada will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued to restrict his future conduct.

Detective Sergeant Tony Killeen, from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Team, commented on the case, emphasizing the significance of the conviction. He stated, “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.”

Killeen also highlighted the trauma endured by the victims, noting, “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.” He urged anyone who might have been a victim or has information related to Pirzada’s actions to come forward, assuring that specially trained officers are available to provide support and assistance.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and trust in safeguarding children from abuse, especially when perpetrators exploit their positions of authority within religious or community settings. The communities of Newham and Northolt are now grappling with the aftermath of this disturbing revelation, and authorities continue to emphasize the need for awareness and reporting of such crimes to prevent further harm.