Former British army adviser & Islam 'expert' convicted of sexual assault

Patrick Sookhdeo, founder of Christian charity Barnabas Fund and international director of Barnabas Aid International, was convicted by a jury of one charge of sexual assault and two counts of intimidating a witness or juror.

Sookhdeo helped write the “religious engagement strategy” for British troops occupying the Kandahar province of Afghanistan, and has lectured at the UK Defense Academy. In September 2013, he was part of a delegation that went to meet, and praise, Egyptian coup-leader al-Sisi.

Sookhdeo is well known for his views on Islam, which he claims “justifies the use of all forms of violence.” He has continued his public speaking engagements during the legal proceedings, appearing at a Zionist Federation event in December.

Sookhdeo was first arrested in March 2014, before being charged in May. In September, he entered a plea of not guilty.

At the time, Barnabas Aid International expressed its “full support” for Sookhdeo. The charity said that the allegations had not been upheld after being “thoroughly investigated by an internal grievance procedure.”

The woman, who has not been named, told the court that she had initially been reluctant to report the assault, for fear that he would sue her.

Sookhdeo groped the victim in his office in February, and subsequently used “intimidating” and “manipulative” language towards two witnesses in a formal meeting.

There has been no official response from either Barnabas Aid International or Barnabas Fund so far.