Trusted imam jailed for sexually assaulting four girls as they studied Koran

Mohammed Haji Saddique, 81, called children to sit by him and read in Arabic from the Muslim holy book.

He assaulted girls in front of the class and slapped pupils repeatedly if they made mistakes in lessons. 

Cardiff Crown Court heard he had metal and wooden sticks to poke the students as they studied.

Saddique, of Cyncoed, Cardiff who taught at the Madina Mosque in the city for more than 30 years, was convicted of the offences after a trial.

A jury found him guilty of 14 offences – six indecent assaults and eight sexual assaults – between 1996 and 2006.

As well as the prison term, judge Stephen Hopkins QC yesterday ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely. 

“All four complainants were very brave indeed in overcoming not only personal but cultural barriers which they faced in making formal complaints and giving evidence against you,” the judge said.

“There is a darker, deviant side to you which this trial has exposed. This was a gross breach of trust – parents sending their young, female children to be taught the Koran by you.”

In statements read to the court, the girls, now in their 20s, spoke of the impact of Saddique’s offending.

Speaking of one, the judge said: “It has put her off religion, she deliberately doesn’t own a Koran.” 

Saddique, who said the allegations were a plot by members of the mosque, has “no idea” of the harm caused, the judge said.

The court heard Saddique was born in Hong Kong and moved to Pakistan before coming to the UK in 1967, eventually settling in Cardiff.

He was involved in running the Madina Mosque, including as a treasurer. Police launched an investigation in 2006 after complaints by two girls.

The investigation was restarted in 2016 after two others came forward.

Defending, Caroline Rees described Saddique as a “frail and unwell” greatgrandfather who was held in high esteem by his family and community.