A British Airways pilot has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl he met through Instagram, in a case that has shocked the UK and raised serious concerns about online child safety.
Kwame Yeboah, 30, from Reading, was found guilty after pleading to multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a child. He received a sentence of eight years and four months in prison, along with a 15-year restraining order.
The court heard that Yeboah first made contact with the girl in late 2025 via Instagram. During their early conversations, the child told him she was 17, but prosecutors argued it would have been clear from their exchanges that she was significantly younger.
Yeboah, who had worked as a First Officer for British Airways since 2023, allegedly began grooming the victim over several months. He sent her inappropriate images and regularly called her, about twice a week, creating what prosecutors described as the illusion of a romantic relationship.
Over time, the victim was manipulated into believing she was in a relationship with an adult who cared for her, despite the clear power imbalance and her young age.
Months after the online contact began, Yeboah travelled from Reading to the Wirral in Merseyside to meet the child in person. Prosecutors said he drove her to a secluded location, where he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.
The victim later told authorities she felt confused and frightened during the incident and struggled to fully understand what was happening at the time.
The abuse came to light after the victim confided in a friend, who then informed her mother. Police were quickly alerted, and investigators were able to identify Yeboah through details he had shared with the girl during their communications. When questioned by police, he refused to answer investigators’ questions.
In court proceedings, Yeboah admitted to three counts of rape of a girl under 13 and one count of sexual assault of a girl under 13. His guilty plea was entered on 22 April, leading to his sentencing this week.
Prosecutors said Yeboah exploited the child after recognising her vulnerability online, despite evidence that indicated her real age. Senior Crown Prosecutor Thomas Hanlon stated that Yeboah would have been aware she was not the age she claimed, pointing to conversations about school and images in school uniform shared during their exchanges.
Hanlon described the case as a calculated act of grooming, saying the defendant manipulated the victim into believing she was in a genuine relationship before abusing her trust for sexual gratification.
The case has renewed scrutiny over how predators use social media platforms to target children, with authorities warning parents and guardians about the risks of online interactions and the importance of monitoring children’s digital activity.
Yeboah’s conviction brings an end to a disturbing case that has left lasting trauma for the victim and her family, while also sparking wider conversations about safeguarding and accountability in online spaces.
