A community leader has been sentenced to prison after sexually assaulting children in england/chatham/”>Chatham, Medway. Qari Sher Mohammad abused his position of trust, targeting four victims Overover nearly a decade.
Initial Allegations and Investigation
Concerns about Mohammad’s behaviour first emerged in 2018 when one of the children disclosed that he had touched her inappropriately while performing duties related to his role as an imam at a mosque on Thorold Road. This abuse occurred between March 2014 and October 2016.
Mohammad was arrested and interviewed in April 2018, but charges were not pursued at that time due to worries about the impact a trial would have on the young victim.
Further Assaults and Conviction
Between May 2022 and December 2023, Mohammad sexually assaulted three additional children. He was arrested on 11 December 2023. During the investigation, officers revisited the initial victim, now an adult, who expressed her desire to support a police prosecution.
Mohammad, of Woodford Road, forest-gate/”>Forest Gate, London, faced multiple charges of child sexual touching. He denied the offences but was convicted on 7 March 2025 at Canterbury Court on 16 counts.
Sentencing and Aftermath
On Friday, 12 September 2025, Mohammad, 61, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Following his release, he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.
Detective Constable Conor Middleton commented, “This man was in a position of authority when these appalling offences were committed. The children showed immense courage by reporting his actions, and I commend them and their parents for assisting our investigation. Mohammad is now serving a prison sentence and should reflect on his actions and the impact they had on these vulnerable victims.”
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