A pilot from British Airways manipulated a 12-year-old girl into thinking she was in a caring relationship before driving a long distance to sexually assault her.
Kwame Yeboah, a former England youth basketball player, encountered the young girl on Omegle, a video chat platform, and then continued communication through Instagram, sharing explicit content over around three months.
In a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, it was disclosed that Yeboah, aged 30, traveled from Reading to the Wirral after engaging with the girl online. The girl’s mother contacted Merseyside Police upon discovering her daughter’s interactions with a man online, leading to the revelation of the assault.
Prosecutors mentioned that the victim initially downplayed the situation when first questioned by the authorities. However, Yeboah persisted in his advances, eventually sexually assaulting and raping the girl after driving her around and coercing her into various sexual acts.
Following the incidents, Yeboah messaged the victim, displaying a mix of concern and manipulation, indicating his intentions to the girl. The court determined that Yeboah’s actions clearly exhibited grooming behavior and emotional manipulation towards the girl.
Yeboah, residing in Drake Way, Reading, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child under 13 and assault of a child under 13 by penetration. He received a sentence of eight years and four months in prison, with an additional year on license. The abuse inflicted significant emotional trauma on the victim, impacting her confidence, sleep patterns, and school performance.
In addition to his prison term, Yeboah was issued a restraining order preventing contact with the victim for 15 years and will be registered as a sex offender for life.