Muslim leader found guilty of sexually abusing girls

ONE of Scotland's most prominent Muslim community leaders is facing jail after being found guilty of sexually abusing girls.

Farooq Hussain's reputation lay in tatters last night, after a jury found him guilty of a catalogue of abuse over five years. The 56-year-old businessman, who owned a string of restaurants and held high-profile charity events, was found guilty of three charges after a week-long trial at Perth Sheriff Court.Outside court, the mother of one victim said: "This has been absolutely horrific for my daughter.

I don't even think he is human. He showed no emotion in court. "He tried to tarnish my daughter's name. Maybe now she can stop having nightmares about him. The main thing for us was that the girls got justice and they have. I just hope that they can move on now with the right help."Hussain, of Perth, sexually abused a 15-year-old girl at the Al Farooq restaurant he owned in Perth city centre in November, 2002.In July last year, he indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl at an address in Perth, and then attacked her again in Perth in August.

Sentence was deferred for reports and Hussain's details were added to the sex offenders' register.

Aisha the Child Wife of Muhammad

Mosque leader jailed for abusing teenage girls

Aug 28 2008 A MUSLIM community leader who sexually abused two teenage girls has been jailed for nearly four years.

Mosque leader Farooq Hussain was yesterday sentenced to 45 months.
Jailing the respected charity worker, Perth sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him that he took into account the fact he had tried to smear the names of the 14 and 15-year-olds with lurid claims at his trial.

He said: "As a result of going to trial, the two girls were required to give evidence."
The jury had earlier found Hussain, 56, of Perth, guilty of abuse spanning a five-year period.
He sexually abused the then 15-year-old at the Al Farooq restaurant he owned in the town in November 2002.
In July and August last year, he twice indecently assaulted the 14-year-old girl at two addresses in Perth.

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, had presented a large bundle of testimonials to the court from people praising Hussain's charity and Muslim community work.
Mr Holmes said: "He had charitable works and his position in the community.
"That has been lost and can never be recovered."
Outside court, the father of one victim said he was pleased with the sentence and was happy the jury had "seen through his lies".
Hussain, a married father-of-three, will have a 30-month extended period on licence after his jail term.

And he will remain on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.