'Prolific sexual predator' jailed for abusing boys

Barthimaus Ehiemere was sentenced for sexual abuse against seven boys

A man described by the Metropolitan Police as "one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators seen in recent years" has been jailed for 18 years.

Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25, from Hackney in east London, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court for 47 instances of sexual abuse against seven boys.

A police investigation found he had engaged in extensive online grooming and serious sexual offences against boys aged 12 to 16, including seven counts of rape of two boys between 2019 and 2023.

The court heard Ehiemere had a "commercial interest in the sexual abuse of young teenage boys" and groomed children on Snapchat. The Met said it was appealing for any more of his victims to come forward.

The Met said Ehiemere would send boys "gifts, money and praise to coerce them into providing sexual imagery" which he would then use to advertise and encourage other boys to do the same.

Ehiemere would "actively brag about his endeavours" and sell the illegal content to other sexual offenders, police added.

The rapist also used the app Spotafriend, which has now been discontinued, to meet children.

Detectives found more than 1,600 indecent images of children across four phones and devices seized from Ehiemere.

'Waking with nightmares'

Prosecutor James Brown KC said Ehiemere had a "deep-seated and commercial interest in the sexual abuse of young teenage boys".

In an impact statement read out by Mr Brown, one victim said they were "waking up with nightmares" about Ehiemere.

The victim added: "It took me a long time to realise I was a child and it wasn't my fault."

Det Chief Insp Kirk Doyle said Ehiemere was "preying on vulnerable children" on social media apps.

Speaking outside court, the Metropolitan Police officer added: "Barthimaus Ehiemere was a prolific and predatory sexual offender who committed some of the most cowardly and abhorrent crimes imaginable.

"His actions have caused deep and lasting harm to hundreds of young boys. But thanks to the extraordinary bravery of the victims and the relentless work of my team, he will no longer be free to hurt others."

Discussing Ehiemere's victims, Mr Doyle added: "We know there are still victims who have not yet come forward. The number of identified victims remains at seven, but we believe there are many many more."

'Badly influenced'

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Greene told Ehiemere: "You are a serious danger to young boys with whom you come into conduct."

Mitigating for Ehiemere, Barry Kogan said: "He wishes to express his deep shame and remorse on account of all of his offending.

"He would like to apologise for the distress he has caused."

Mr Kogan said Ehiemere was "badly influenced" by an adult who "encouraged him to make money by selling illegal images of children".

On 28 July 2020, Ehiemere was arrested after police received information that his phone was distributing indecent images of children.

He was sentenced in February 2021 at Wood Green Crown Court to eight months in a young offenders' institution suspended for 24 months and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

By October 2024, police had identified initial victims including a 12-year-old boy who had been raped.

Ehiemere pled guilty to 32 counts before trial, including rape of a child under 13, inciting children to create indecent images, and multiple breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He was also found guilty by a jury on a further 15 charges relating to sexual assaults and paying for the sexual services of a child.

He will be required to register as a sex offender for life.