Child sex abuser jailed
Detectives say he is 'one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators they've seen'
A child sex abuser who used Snapchat to groom victims has been jailed for 18 years.
Barthimaus Ehiemere admitted 47 offences - including rape and serious sexual assaults against multiple boys.
Detectives say the 25 year old from Hackney in north-east London is one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators they've seen in recent years.
Detective Constable Lindsey Luscombe, from the Met's Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation team, said:
“I commend the victim-survivors for their incredible bravery in this case. Three of them testified at trial, and this proved vital in holding Ehiemere to account for his horrendous crimes.
“Ehiemere is one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators we have seen in recent years. He groomed his victims online, demonstrating a dangerous pattern of offending.
“This case demonstrates the insidious nature of online child sex abuse, and its grave implications in the real world. But it also shows how the authorities – using digital resources – can bring even the most devious offenders to justice. We urge all victims to come forward and will ensuring they are met with the understanding and specialist support that they need.”
The Metropolitan Police 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 would use the app Spotafriend, which has now been discontinued, to meet children as well as Snapchat.
Detectives found more than 1,600 indecent images of children across four phones and devices seized from Ehiemere.
Sentencing, His Honour Judge Timothy Greene told Ehiemere: "You are a serious danger to young boys with whom you come into conduct."
Discussing the offending, the judge said: "It was a campaign over several years of predatory sexual offending against boys."
Judge Greene sentenced Ehiemere to a further four-year licence period and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
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."
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