25-Year-Old Serial Online Predator Jailed for 18 Years for Abusing Seven Boys

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A 25-year-old man from Hackney, described by the Metropolitan Police as “one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators in recent years”, has been jailed for 18 years for the sexual abuse of seven boys.

Barthimaus Ehiemere was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being convicted of 47 offences involving boys aged between 12 and 16, committed between 2019 and 2023. The offences included seven counts of rape.

According to investigators, Ehiemere used Snapchat and the now-defunct app Spotafriend to groom his victims, offering gifts, money, and praise in exchange for sexual images. Police said he later used those images to approach other boys and also sold the content to other offenders. More than 1,600 indecent images were recovered from four of his devices.

Prosecutors said Ehiemere had a “deep-seated and commercial interest” in abusing teenage boys. One victim told the court he continues to suffer nightmares and only later realised “it wasn’t my fault”.

Detective Chief Inspector Kirk Doyle praised the victims for their bravery and warned that investigators believe more unidentified victims may exist. “Ehiemere’s actions caused deep and lasting harm,” he said. “Thanks to the courage of these young people, he can no longer hurt others.”

Ehiemere had previously received a suspended sentence in 2021 for distributing child abuse material. By 2024, detectives had linked him to further victims, including a 12-year-old boy he raped. He later pleaded guilty to 32 charges and was found guilty of 15 others following a trial.

Judge Timothy Greene told him during sentencing: “You are a serious danger to young boys.” Through his lawyer, Ehiemere expressed shame and blamed negative adult influences earlier in his life.

He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.