An East London paedophile who described raping a 12-year-old boy as the «best sex ever» has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25, groomed seven boys via Snapchat and raped two children, with police now believing hundreds more victims may exist.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard on Thursday that Ehiemere used social media to systematically target boys aged 12 to 16, sharing pornography and soliciting sexual images. He admitted 32 offenses before trial in July and was convicted of 15 additional offenses in August, including rape of children under 13 and paying for sexual services of minors.
The court heard Ehiemere sent the «best sex ever» message to another unknown paedophile after raping one 12-year-old victim. Police discovered 1,600 indecent images on his phone, half in Category A - the worst category depicting penetrative abuse. His search history included «young boy rape».
Systematic Campaign of Abuse
Ehiemere posed as a trombonist with a camel business in Dubai and offered boys £20 for sex. He used Snapchat accounts to post stories advertising for «personal nudes» and «nude vids» from boys aged 12 to 16, indicating payment.
The rapes occurred in multiple locations including woodland in Surrey in July 2019, a park in South West London, and a cinema toilet. One victim told the court he lured him to woodland and raped him over a tree branch.
Severe Victim Impact
Prosecutor James Brown KC told the court victims suffered «severe psychological and physical effects». One victim said he «immediately wanted to scrub myself clean» after the abuse. Another experienced «anger» and «shame», body dysmorphia, and social struggles affecting their education.
Judge Timothy Greene said: «You are a serious danger to young boys with whom you come into contact. You committed three serious rapes against two 12-year-old boys. [In relation to the second victim] you completely ignored the fact you were subject to a sexual harm prevention order. You show very little insight into why this is so serious.»
He added: «This was a campaign over several years of predator sexual offending of boys between 12 and 16. I doubt you cared about any of their ages. You cared about your sexual gratification and if you could make financial gains out of sexually exploiting them.»
Previous Conviction Breached
Ehiemere had received an eight-month suspended sentence and Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2021 after being caught with hundreds of indecent images in September 2020. He breached this order by using a special browser to continue his offending, committing further rapes in January and February 2023.
Defense lawyer Barry Kogan pleaded for the shortest possible sentence, saying: «He's still a young man, and there's still a chance he can do something useful with his life.» Kogan cited Ehiemere's strict Christian upbringing and claimed he was groomed online at age 14.
Hundreds More Victims Feared
Detective Chief Inspector Kirk Doyle called Ehiemere «a prolific and predatory sexual offender who committed some of the most cowardly and abhorrent crimes imaginable». He said: «His actions have caused deep and lasting harm to hundreds of young boys.»
Police are urging more victims to come forward through Operation Teigar. Doyle said: «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.»
He added: «You will be listened to. You will be believed. You will be supported. No matter how much time has passed, it is never too late to speak out. Every piece of information could help us uncover the full extent of Ehiemere's offending.»
Ehiemere will serve two-thirds of his 22-year sentence before release on extended license. He is now a registered sex offender for life and subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
