Former Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting 15-year-old boy

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Southwark Crown Court Imran Ahmad Khan

The 48-year-old, who served as MP for Wakefield from 2019 until this year, was found guilty in April of sexually assaulting the teenager at a house in Staffordshire in 2008.

In April, Southwark Crown Court heard that Khan, 48, forced the teenager to drink alcohol, dragged him upstairs and asked him to watch pornography before assaulting him in January 2008.

The complainant, now aged 29 and who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the attack at a Staffordshire house party left him “scared, vulnerable, numb, shocked and surprised”.

The jury in Southwark also heard how Khan touched the boy’s feet and legs before coming within a “hair’s breadth” of his genitals as he tried to sleep in a bunkbed.

He ran to his parents and a police report was made at the time, but no further action was taken because the youngster did not want to make a formal complaint.

But he told jurors “it all came flooding back” when Khan stood as a Conservative in the December 2019 general election.

Mr Justice Baker said Khan had shown no remorse for his crime, adding: “The only regret you feel is towards yourself for having found yourself in the predicament you face as a result of your actions some 14 years ago.”

The victim said he was not “taken very seriously” when he made the allegation to the Conservative Party press office days before Khan was elected as MP for Wakefield.

He made a complaint to the police days after Khan helped Prime Minister Boris Johnson win a large Commons majority by taking Wakefield.

‘Significant degree of brutality’

Mr Justice Baker said he had displayed a “significant degree of brutality” in the lead up to the assault, as he dragged his victim upstairs and threw him on to a bed.

“I am satisfied that the complainant was particularly vulnerable, and not only was he 15 years of age at the date of the offence, but I accept his mother’s description that he was not very worldly and very young for his age,” he said.

“Although it may well be, over the years, you had let yourself believe you had got away with having committed this offence, I am sure you were aware from the outset there was a risk there would be a day of reckoning.”

The victim said he was left feeling suicidal, and found being touched in anyway “difficult” throughout his teenage years.

Khan has said he will appeal against his conviction, and Gudrun Young QC, defending, said on Monday: “Mr Khan denies this offence and maintains today he is not guilty of it.”

Khan sent questionnaire by police

Khan was sent a questionnaire by Staffordshire Police rather than being interviewed under caution at the station because of “COVID protocols in place at the time”.

The former MP, who is gay and Muslim, denied sexual assault and claimed he only touched the Catholic teenager’s elbow when he “became extremely upset” after a conversation about his confused sexuality.

Khan, then 34, said he was trying to be “kind” and “helpful” but the teenager became upset and “bolted” when the topic of pornography was raised.

He was subsequently expelled from the Conservative Party and found guilty by a jury after five hours of deliberations.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “We hope that 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, and to anyone else affected by Khan’s actions.

“Abuse can have a profound and long-lasting effect on children and young people, but no matter who the perpetrator is, it is important to remember it is never too late to speak out and get support.

“We want to remind the public that no matter when the abuse took place, you will be listened to. Taking the first step can be daunting but the NSPCC is always here to help people who want to disclose abuse.”

At the moment within the walls of Westminster parliament is sheltering one alleged rapist and across all parties there are 56 MPs currently facing allegations ranging from sexual assault, making sexually inappropriate comments to more serious wrongdoing.

Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111, and adults can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

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