A SENIOR Muslim leader has condemned the Bullfinch rapists and said they could not claim to be followers of Islam.

Dr Hojjat Ramzy added he believed the Muslim community would be glad at the five life sentences and 95 years in total handed down at the Old Bailey today.

Five of the men were of Pakistani descent and two from Africa.

Dr Ramzy said: "The 95 year sentences will demonstrate the severe consequence of such evil actions and will help to prevent anyone who may wish to follow their criminal example and damage the lives of young children from doing so.

It is a strong reminder that such disgusting, repulsive and utterly unacceptable behaviour will be confronted with the strong hand of the law without any mercy.

Children should be safe and protected anywhere, at all times and at any cost. Islam completely condemns these acts.

"These acts fall far outside the boundaries of Islam, one cannot claim to be a Muslim and commit such crimes.

"Now these sentences have been issued and these evil predators are behind bars, I would like to hope that they demonstrate remorse and a commitment to reform themselves and become a good and helpful members of the society when they have completed their sentences and rejoined the community once more.

"I also hope and pray that the girls whose lives have been shattered face a safe and prosperous future and I pray that the future heals their pains and clears their scars.

"I would advise them to look only to the future not the past, in the hope that they can rebuild their lives with the help of those around them."