Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25, of Hackney, London, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing boys as young as 12. Police believe there could be hundreds more victims.
Ehiemere targeted boys online using Snapchat and the now-defunct app Spotafriend, offering money and gifts to coerce them into sending sexual images, which he then sold to other offenders. Investigators found that he also raped two boys between 2019 and 2023 and filmed some assaults in public places.
A police investigation identified seven victims, aged between 12 and 16, though officers warn that many more may have been exploited. During the investigation, over 1,600 indecent images were discovered across multiple devices.
Ehiemere was first arrested on 28 July 2020 after police discovered indecent images on his phone. He was initially sentenced in 2021 to eight months in a young offenders’ institution, suspended for 24 months, and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He reoffended in 2024 by using unregistered devices in breach of the order, which contained evidence of sexual assault against a 12-year-old boy.
Prosecutor James Brown KC told the court:
Ehiemere had a deep-seated and commercial interest in the sexual abuse of young teenage boys. He actively encouraged boys to send sexual images and then profited by selling them to other paedophiles. On Snapchat, he bragged about his acts and described raping a 12-year-old victim as the best sex ever.
Judge Timothy Greene said:
These offences were committed when Ehiemere was between 17 and 23. He is a serious danger to young boys, showing no genuine remorse other than concern for his own consequences. This was a campaign of sexual offending.
Ehiemere pleaded guilty to 32 counts, including rape of a child under 13, inciting children to produce sexual images, and multiple breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also convicted by a jury on a further 15 counts of sexual assault and paying for the sexual services of a child.
Detective Chief Inspector Kirk Doyle of the Metropolitan Police said:
Barthimaus Ehiemere was a prolific and predatory sexual offender who caused deep and lasting harm. He used gifts, money, and praise to coerce boys into sending sexual images, which he then exploited. We know there are still victims who have not come forward. Anyone affected should contact us quoting Operation Teigar.
