A former sports coach at a school in Horsham has been convicted of another child sex offence.
Ajaz Karim worked at Christ’s Hospital School between 1983 and 1993.
In 2018, he was jailed for ten years after being found guilty of nine charges of indecent assault and one of attempted indecent assault relating to his time there.
On Friday, he was found guilty of another count of indecent assault on a girl when she was 12 or 13. The victim is now in her 40s.
Karim is one of five former teachers from the school to be convicted of sexually abusing students there.
Following the verdict, Christ’s Hospital said: “We feel deep compassion for the victim and those close to them and recognise their courage and strength throughout the judicial process, knowing that the trauma of abuse in childhood and adolescence can be lifelong and lifechanging.
“We are truly sorry that these offences, and others that have previously been documented, occurred at Christ’s Hospital.
“We recognise that assurances about current practice can be unhelpful, but it may be useful to know that today the safeguarding and welfare of students is our highest priority.
“Our approach and processes are unrecognisable to those of 30 years ago, when these offences took place.
“Lastly, we would like to thank Sussex Police and the CPS for their work on this case. We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse in any circumstance to report it.”
Detective Constable Rebecca Wilde, of Sussex Police’s Complex Abuse Unit, said: “Ajaz Karim abused the trust of his victim as a school coach.
“We worked closely with Christ’s Hospital School who supported and assisted the force with the investigation.
“The victim has shown incredible courage and bravery to assist with our enquiries and to report the crimes committed against her.
“If you or anyone you know is a victim of a sexual offence – no matter when it was – please report to the police.
You will be heard, we will support you and we will do everything we can to get you justice.”
Police received the most recent report about Karim, 70, of Broadlove Lane, Greater London, in November 2022. He was asked to attend a voluntary interview and following a complex investigation, he was charged with two counts of indecent assault in December 2023.
Following a four-day trial, which began on 25 November at Lewes Crown Court, Karim was found guilty by the jury on one count of indecent assault on a girl.
The jury were unable to reach a verdict on the second count of indecent assault of a girl.
He is due to be sentenced on 13 December.
