A “depraved sexual predator” has been jailed for 18 years for raping two 12-year-olds and numerous other sexual offences including grooming children on Snapchat.
Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25, of Chart Street, Hackney, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday for 47 offences against seven known victims.
A police investigation found that Ehiemere had engaged in extensive online grooming and serious sexual offences against boys aged 12 to 16, including seven counts of rape of two boys between 2019 and 2023.
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.
The Met Police believe he may have other abused “many, many” others and is appealing for other victims to come forward.
Detectives found more than 1,600 indecent images of children across four phones and devices seized from Ehiemere.
On July 28 2020, Ehiemere was arrested after police received information that his phone was distributing indecent images of children.
Ehiemere was then sentenced in February 2021 at Wood Green Crown Court to eight months in a young offenders' institution suspended for 24 months and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
By October 2024, police had identified initial victims and officers discovered footage of Ehiemere raping a 12-year-old boy after another of his devices was seized.
Prosecutor James Brown KC said Ehiemere had a "deep-seated and commercial interest in the sexual abuse of young teenage boys".
He added: "On Snapchat, there were numerous examples of him advertising broadly and widely for images of a sexual nature from younger teenage boys.
"He frequently offered money for those images.
"He was very much in the business of encouraging young teenage boys to send him images of themselves performing sexual acts."
The prosecutor said Ehiemere had searched for material such as "young boy rape" on his devices.
Ehiemere also posted on Snapchat "always meeting new boys... pop up and take my money" and "I trade quality nudes".
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."
Detective Chief Inspector Kirk Doyle said Ehiemere was "preying on vulnerable children" on social media apps.
Speaking outside court, the Metropolitan Police officer added: "Barthimaus Ehiemere was a prolific and predatory sexual offender who committed some of the most cowardly and abhorrent crimes imaginable.
"His actions have caused deep and lasting harm to hundreds of young boys. But thanks to the extraordinary bravery of the victims and the relentless work of my team, he will no longer be free to hurt others."
Discussing Ehiemere's victims, Mr Doyle added: "He would send them 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 likeminded sexual offenders.
"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.
"That is why today, I am making a direct appeal: If you believe you or a child in your life may have been a victim of Barthimaus Ehiemere, or if you have any information that could assist our investigation - please come forward quoting Operation Teigar.
"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."
An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Ehiemere targeted and manipulated vulnerable boys, both on social media and in person, before repeatedly committing horrendous acts of sexual abuse. It is vital the victims in this terrible case receive all the support they need to move forward with their lives.
"Our own research shows that online grooming offences have hit record levels across the UK, and so it is crucial that tech companies make changes to the design of their platforms that will stop perpetrators like Ehiemere and better protect children."
Mitigating for Ehiemere, Barry Kogan said: "He wishes to express his deep shame and remorse on account of all of his offending.
"He would like to apologise for the distress he has caused."
Mr Kogan said Ehiemere was "badly influenced" by an adult who "encouraged him to make money by selling illegal images of children".
Ehiemere pled guilty to 32 counts before trial, including rape of a child under 13, inciting children to create indecent images, and multiple breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was also found guilty by a jury on a further 15 charges relating to sexual assaults and paying for the sexual services of a child.
