A Glasgow church pastor is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple charges of rape, physical assault, and child abuse spanning more than two decades.
Rev James Haram, 51, who served with the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow on 19 separate counts of abuse.
His crimes took place between 1997 and 2020 at addresses in Glasgow, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, and South Ayrshire.
He was remanded in custody following the verdict and will be sentenced next month.
Pattern of Abuse Against Woman
The jury heard that Haram repeatedly raped, attacked, and verbally abused a woman in his care. He forced her into religious activities, tracked her movements, and subjected her to degrading treatment.
The victim recalled being choked until her “whole body went limp” and described how the pastor pressured her into sex while citing biblical passages.
Haram told her she must “subject” herself to him, leaving her in tears during the encounters.
On one occasion, he deliberately destroyed flowers the woman had spent time growing, as part of his campaign of psychological abuse.
Haram admitted in court to “occasional flare-ups of aggression” but claimed every sexual encounter was consensual.
‘Modesty Checks’ and Child Abuse
Jurors also heard disturbing testimony about Haram’s treatment of children. One girl described being regularly beaten, while others were struck with a wooden spoon or a rod.
He carried out “modesty checks” on young girls to examine what they were wearing and exert control over their appearance.
On one occasion, Haram reportedly flew into a rage while driving with two children, threatening to deliberately crash the car and kill them all. He later claimed the children “knew I did not mean it.”
Judge Condemns Pastor’s Actions
Judge Tom Hughes condemned Haram’s actions as “truly awful,” telling him:
“There were incidents of violence, aggression, and all sorts of difficulties, alongside the sexual offending that took place.
During that period, you appeared to be living a life whereby you were acting in an official capacity as a man of the cloth.
You have now been convicted of extremely serious offences which will obviously carry a lengthy custodial sentence.”
Haram, who had previously been on bail, was immediately remanded in custody.
Community Impact
The revelations have shocked members of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) and the wider Glasgow faith community.
The abuse spanned more than 20 years, during which Haram maintained his role as a religious leader while secretly abusing his position of trust.
He is expected to receive a substantial prison sentence when he returns to court for sentencing next month.
