Dhaka, May 14 -- A man who posed as a respected Imam while exploiting women and children through fear, manipulation and claims of spiritual powers has been sentenced to life imprisonment in London following a major Metropolitan Police investigation.

Abdul Halim Khan, 54, of Old Ford Road in Tower Hamlets, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years.

Halim was convicted on Feb 13 of 21 sexual offences involving seven victim-survivors, including nine counts of rape. His victims included girls as young as 12.

Police said Halim abused his standing in the local community to manipulate and sexually exploit vulnerable women and children over many years.

Sentencing him, Judge Leslie C...