Former Religious Leader Goes to Prison for Life

May 14, 2026, 21:14
EuropeSociety

Introduction

Abdul Halim Khan was a religious leader in East London. A judge sent him to prison for life because he hurt seven women and girls.

Main Body

From 2004 to 2015, Khan used his job as an imam to hurt people. He told the victims that they had bad spirits. He said he could heal them, but he used this as a lie to attack them. Khan told the victims to keep a secret. He said he would use 'black magic' to hurt their families. Some victims were only 12 years old. They were afraid to tell anyone. In 2018, a young girl told a school teacher about the crimes. The police talked to 50 people and looked at 10 phones. Khan said he did not do these things, but the court did not believe him.

Conclusion

The court found Khan guilty of 21 crimes. He must stay in prison for at least 20 years.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The Power of "Told"

In this story, we see the word told many times. It is the past version of tell.

At an A2 level, you need to know that we use tell when we give information to a person.

Look at these patterns from the text:

  • He told the victims... (Person = victims)
  • A girl told a school teacher... (Person = teacher)

The Secret Formula: Tell β†’ Person β†’ Information

Compare it to something else:

  • I told him the truth. βœ…
  • I said the truth. (This is okay, but there is no 'person' immediately after 'said').

Quick Word Map:

  • Lie β†’ Saying something not true.
  • Secret β†’ Information you do not tell others.
  • Believe β†’ Thinking that someone told the truth.

Summary for your brain: When you want to say who received the information, use told β†’ told me, told them, told the police.

Vocabulary Learning

prison (n.)
A building where people are kept as punishment for crimes.
Example:He will spend the rest of his life in prison.
judge (n.)
A person who decides the outcome of a legal case.
Example:The judge heard the evidence before giving a verdict.
hurt (v.)
To cause pain or injury to someone.
Example:He hurt seven women and girls in the past.
victim (n.)
A person who has been harmed or harmed by a crime.
Example:The victim was afraid to speak to anyone.
spirit (n.)
A non-physical part of a person that can be good or bad.
Example:She believed the victims had bad spirits.
heal (v.)
To make someone healthy again.
Example:The imam claimed he could heal people with prayer.
lie (n.)
A false statement that is made to deceive.
Example:He used a lie to attack the victims.
secret (n.)
Something that is kept hidden from others.
Example:He asked the victims to keep a secret.
magic (n.)
Special powers that can do extraordinary things.
Example:He said he would use black magic to hurt their families.
family (n.)
A group of related people, such as parents and children.
Example:The victims feared that their family would be harmed.
afraid (adj.)
Feeling fear or worry about something.
Example:The victims were afraid to tell anyone.
school (n.)
A place where children learn.
Example:A young girl told a school teacher about the crimes.
teacher (n.)
A person who teaches students.
Example:The school teacher listened to the girl's story.
police (n.)
The group of people who enforce the law.
Example:The police talked to 50 people to find the truth.
court (n.)
A place where legal cases are decided.
Example:The court found Khan guilty of many crimes.
guilty (adj.)
Responsible for committing a wrongdoing.
Example:He was found guilty of 21 crimes.
years (n.)
Time measured in units of 365 days.
Example:He must stay in prison for at least 20 years.
life (n.)
The period of being alive.
Example:He was sentenced to prison for life.
job (n.)
A paid position of work.
Example:He used his job as an imam to hurt people.
people (n.)
Human beings in general.
Example:He used his position to hurt many people.