Source: Suffolk Police published on this website Thursday 12 June 2025 by Jill Powell
A 70-year-old man who abused his position as an Islamic teacher in Ipswich, has been convicted of numerous non-recent sexual assaults.
Hafez Ashraf Uddin, of Wivenhoe Road, Barking in London, was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday, Thursday 5 June, following a trial lasting almost four weeks.
The offences relate to six separate victims – who were all girls aged between seven and 14-years-old – and occurred between 1985 and 1999.
Uddin had stood accused of 22 counts of indecent assault in total, relating to seven girls, being found guilty of 13 offences and not guilty of the other nine.
The offences included Uddin putting his hand inside one of the victim’s trousers, and multiple offences of either touching or squeezing the girls’ breasts.
Four of the charges he has been convicted of were multiple offending counts – which means in those cases a single charge actually comprised at least five assaults, so the total of separate assaults numbered is at least 29.
He has been remanded in custody pending a sentencing hearing to be held at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 28 July.
Suffolk Police recognises the impact that this case will have on the community that Uddin served and officers have been liaising with partners to ensure anyone with concerns can access advice and specialist support.
Any further reports can be made to the South Safeguarding Investigation Unit via 101, quoting Operation Picton and reference: 37/CJ/667/18.
Alternatively you can make a report via the Suffolk Police website: Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Suffolk Constabulary
Support for victims is available via the following organisations:
- The Ferns Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service: The Ferns Centre
- Survivors in Transition: SiT Overview | Survivors In Transition
