Eniola Balogun, a US citizen living in Tottenham has been charged, following 2 hearings, at Wood Green Crown Court, to 21 years in jail for multiple counts of rape.
On September 19 Balogun, pleaded guilty on 4 counts of rape on 4 different girls, aged between 13 and 16 by persuading them to send him indecent photos and then threatening to distribute the images unless they had sex with him.
Balogun persuaded young girls through social media (Snapchat and Instagram) or in the street, to send him indecent photographs. He would then threaten to spread the images unless they met with him.
When he met them, he raped them. On all occasions, Balogun took their phones off them and promised to return their phones after sexual contact, threatening 2 with violence if they resisted. He was previously convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl three times on 30 March at the same venue.
“The teenage girls were victims of online sexual offences and did not recognise that they were being abused. He used his social media profile to gain their trust, share intimate photos and then used those images to coerce his victims into sexual activity,” said Detective Sergeant Tony Killeen.
Balogun was sentenced to 21 years behind bars on 15 December. The judge also placed him on extended licence for a period of eight years beginning when he is released from prison.
Balogun will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
Balogun was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court.
Detective Killeen said: “Balogun is a prolific sexual offender and it cannot be discounted that he has sexually abused other people. If you have been a victim of Balogun, please contact police via 101 – specially trained officers are there to support you.”
“My advice to any child or young person is: do not share pictures online that you would find embarrassing if anyone else, such as your friends or parents were to see them as you have no control over the images once sent.
“But if you are worried about someone sharing intimate pictures of you online please don’t let embarrassment stop you from contacting the police. Alternatively, online abuse can be reported online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Advice on online grooming can be found on many websites such as the NSPCC.”