Today (November 20), Barthimaus Ehiemere, of Chart Street in Hackney, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for 47 child sex offences, including rape and sexual assault against multiple boys.
The 25-year-old will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
On July 31, a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court found Ehiemere guilty of 15 charges.
He had previously pleaded guilty to 32 offences, including multiple counts of rape, as well as sexual assault and making indecent images of children.
The victims were aged between 12 and 16-years-old at the time.
The Judge praised DC Lindsey Luscombe for her work on her case.
Ehiemere first came onto the Met’s radar in September 2020, as part of an investigation into online grooming.
Officers raided his Hackney home and seized his devices.
Ehiemere pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
After analysing the devices seized in 2020, investigators established that Ehiemere had been using Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sex.
He would send them gifts, money and praise in return for indecent images, 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 likeminded sexual offenders.
Officers were able to identify six victims across the UK.
One of the boys told police that he had been seriously sexual assaulted by Ehiemere when he was 12, while another said Ehiemere had paid him for sex when was 16.
On October 28, 2024, officers arrested Ehiemere at his workplace in north Acton.
They then seized more devices from his home – several of which had not been registered with police, in violation of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Ehiemere was remanded in custody.
He refused to give investigators the password to access one of the seized phones.
Nevertheless, forensic analysts were able to bypass this – and found evidence on the device that Ehiemere had raped a seventh boy.
This victim, 12, was located by police and safeguarded.
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.”
Following Ehiemere’s sentencing, detectives are urging any additional victim-survivors to come forward.
Investigators believe there may be other cases where he used platforms such as Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sexual activity and indecent images.
Officers are keen to speak with anyone who suspects their child may have had contact with Ehiemere.
Survivors can report information to police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Teigar, where arrangements will be made for further contact.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online.
Support and advice are also available through the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000 or visiting www.nspcc.org.uk.
