Teacher Sexually Assaulted Kids while teaching them to Pray

Islamic studies teacher Mohammed Noor, aged 37, of Birmingham, was jailed for nine years after he sexually assaulted children.

He attacked three children in their homes while teaching them to pray.

The offences happened between 2011 and 2017. The victims were two females and one male, including a brother and sister.

Grace Ong, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court:

“Noor is a teacher of Islamic studies and in the process of teaching them [the victims] he touched the two female victims on the breasts and over their clothing while he was teaching them to pray.”

In relation to the male victim, Noor touched him inappropriately and smacked him on his bare bottom.

Miss Ong continued:

“One of the features of this case was that the children were beaten with implements that Noor had constructed and they described being beaten about their bodies.”

Noor previously accepted he had beaten the children but claimed it was only on their hands.

One of the female victims said in a statement:

“Never in my life have I felt so vulnerable. I had no idea that what was going on was wrong.

“I feel I was targeted for his own pleasure. For years after the assault, I have been on an emotional roller coaster.

“I was in my own family surroundings a place where I should have felt safe and protected.

“This lasted for years and it kept coming back to me. It was extremely painful to bring up all those memories.

“It made me feel helpless, like a fish caught in a net.

“Although there were no physical injuries I have been scarred for life by this ordeal.”

“Sexual crimes are not ordinarily talked about within my community against children and no one really understands the impact it has on a person from a man with such authority and such high regard.”

The teacher was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault.

Recorder Martin Hurst said it had been a “substantial breach of trust”.

One victim called the police in 2017 and although Noor was well known in the Alum Rock area, police failed to find him.

He said they had been met with a “conspiracy of silence” and that he believed Noor had deliberately kept away from the police.

The teacher handed himself in after the police issued a press release.

Recorder Hurst said: “While assisting them to hold their hands in the prayer position you took the opportunity to move their hands out of the way and touch their breasts.”

Noor also made inappropriate comments to the girls about how their breasts had grown.

He continued: “It is an aggravating feature that it took place in their homes or the homes of relatives, in private.

“You armed yourself with weapons and used them to beat the children.

“One weapon was discovered, a rolled-up restaurant poster.

“You beat them on their hands and other parts of their bodies, but not sufficient to leave bruising.”

Carl Templar-Vasey, defending, said:

“I have to recognise this was a gross breach of trust although Noor stands by his pleas, He has no previous convictions.”

He said there was evidence from others that he had done some good work as a teacher.

He added: “It is a shame that he has fallen foul of his desires.”

Birmingham Mail reported that Noor was jailed for nine years.

He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life.