Friday, October 23, 2026 - A UK court has sentenced a 35-year-old Nigerian national, Goodness Sokoh, to 21 years in prison following a comprehensive investigation into online grooming and multiple child safety offences.
Sokoh, residing in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, utilized
a social media application under an alias to communicate with four teenage
girls between October and December 2025, subsequently luring them into his
vehicle by offering incentives.
According to the Thames Valley Police, the physical meetings
took place in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire. Following a full trial, Sokoh was
found guilty of multiple counts of serious felony assault, unlawful
exploitation, and endangering minors.
During the sentencing proceeding at Amersham Law Court,
Judge Catherine Tulk strongly condemned the convict's actions, telling Sokoh:
“You were grooming them so that they would trust you and put themselves into
danger. You thought you could do with them whatever you wanted. Not one of them
wanted to have any activity with you.”
Judge Tulk added that his actions were “clear evidence
of grooming” and that he had “exploited their age and vulnerability”.
The court also heard statements from the victims' families
detailing the profound psychological and emotional distress the ordeal caused
the teenagers, including severe anxiety, disruption to their education, and a
loss of personal safety.
Sokoh was initially apprehended by law enforcement on
December 17, 2025. Under the terms of the judicial ruling, he must serve at
least two-thirds of his 21-year custodial sentence before becoming eligible for
parole. Additionally, the court placed him permanently on the register of
offenders and issued a lifetime restraining order prohibiting any contact with
the victims.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Palmer of
the Child Abuse Investigation Unit praised the young victims, stating: “I would
like to thank the victims for the strength, courage and resilience they have
shown throughout this lengthy investigation and trial. Throughout the process,
the girls demonstrated incredible bravery. Despite everything they had
experienced, they remained committed to helping the investigation and seeking
justice. While I know this outcome does not mark the end of their journey, I
hope it brings some reassurance that their voices have been heard and that they
have been listened to by the criminal justice system.”
Authorities have emphasized their ongoing commitment to
tackling violence against women and girls, while urging anyone with additional
information relevant to the case to contact local law enforcement agencies.
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