KURRAM HUSSAIN GUILTY OF ASSAULTS AT BLACKBURN MOSQUE

In August 2012, a teacher at a Blackburn mosque was convicted of assaulting two boys. Kurram Hussain, 26, of Granville Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, was found guilty of physically abusing two children aged 10 and 11. He denied two charges of assault by beating, which related to the two boys, although he was originally charged with three. One charge was dropped due to a witness failing to appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.

Hussain taught children between the ages of five and 12 how to read the Quran every weekday evening. The court heard that when the students talked amongst themselves or misbehaved, Hussain resorted to physical violence. A boy who testified said he had been assaulted by Hussain since 2008, recounting that he had been slapped around the head, hit on the hands with a pencil, and called names. Another witness stated they often saw Hussain punish the boys physically, including witnessing Hussain kick one boy in the back.

In his defense, Hussain admitted to being a strict disciplinarian and explained that he would give detention when the boys misbehaved. He also stated that he adhered to the mosque's strict zero-tolerance policy on violence.

Kurram Hussain is scheduled for sentencing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on 17 August.