Imam admits abusing girls

An imam has admitted sexually abusing girls who had come to his Mosque in Hertfordshire to learn the Koran.

On Wednesday, Hajif Ullah, 43, pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent assault on four girls between September last year and May this year.

Two charges were committed against a 10-year-old, two against an 11-year-old, one against another 11-year-old and one against a 16-year-old.

Ullah came to Britain from Bangladesh in 1998 to work as an imam at the Mosque in Florence Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

He wishes to leave the country as soon as his sentence expires

Miam Azhar, defence

He was dismissed in May this year and moved to London where he was arrested in July.

At an earlier hearing Ullah denied the charges.

But on Wednesday they were put to him again at St Albans Crown Court and he pleaded guilty.

Defence barrister Miam Azhar said: "He has been here since 1998 in a capacity as an imam.

"He wishes to leave the country as soon as his sentence expires."

Adjourning the case Judge Findlay Baker QC: "These offences require explanation and assessment of the risk of repetition."