Disgraced Ex-MP Imran Ahmad Khan Jailed for Groping Teen
Imran Ahmad Khan, the former Conservative MP for Wakefield, was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy at a 2008 party. The 48-year-old, elected in 2019, was swiftly kicked out of the Tory party and resigned from Parliament following his conviction.
Court Reveals Disturbing Details of Assault
At Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker slammed Khan for showing no remorse. He said the victim was “profoundly psychologically affected” by the attack and described a “significant degree of brutality” in Khan’s lead-up to the assault.
The court heard Khan forced the teen to drink gin, dragged him upstairs, made him watch pornography, and then assaulted him. The victim told jurors he was left “scared, vulnerable, numb, shocked and surprised” after Khan touched his feet and legs, coming “within a hair’s breadth” of his genitals.
Victim Breaks Silence—Reveals Lifelong Impact
The victim, now 29, said he struggled with “suicidal thoughts” and ongoing mental health issues due to the assault, which haunted him throughout his teens. He told the court:
“Because of this assault, throughout my teenage years I found being touched in any way difficult. My mental health has deteriorated rapidly since deciding to come forward and having to constantly relive an event I tried to bury for such a long time.”
“I have struggled with the guilt of dragging my family back into a horrible ordeal they would rather forget, and watch them struggle with their own guilt for allowing that man into the house.”
Khan’s victim only came forward decades later when he saw Khan standing in the 2019 general election.
Khan’s Defence and Aftermath
Defence lawyer Gudrun Young QC said Khan had fallen from “high public office” to “utterly disgraced” with “his life and career in ruins.” She added:
“To say his reputation is in tatters does not do the matter justice. It has been completely destroyed. Mr Khan’s fall from grace has been spectacular. He will always be known as a disgraced former MP and he will take that to his grave.”
The NSPCC issued a statement saying:
“We hope seeing Khan face justice for the sexual assault he committed over a decade ago offers some solace to the brave young man who spoke out against his abuser. Abuse can have a profound and long-lasting effect on children and young people, but no matter who the perpetrator is, it is never too late to speak out and get support.”
Khan has since lodged an appeal against his conviction. Meanwhile, a by-election to replace him as Wakefield MP is set for 23 June.
