Muslim leader found guilty of sexually abusing girls

Published on Thursday 10 July 2008 22:38

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.