A UK court has sentenced a 35-year-old Nigerian national, Goodness Sokoh, to 21 years in prison after an investigation into online grooming and multiple child safety offences.
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Sokoh, who lived in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, used a social media app under an alias to communicate with four teenage girls between October and December 2025. Thames Valley Police said he then lured them into his vehicle by offering incentives. The in-person meetings took place in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.
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Convicted after full trial
Following a full trial, Sokoh was found guilty of multiple counts of serious assault, exploitation and endangering minors. He was first arrested on December 17, 2025.
At sentencing at Amersham Law Court, Judge Catherine Tulk condemned his actions. “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,” she told him.
The judge said his conduct was “clear evidence of grooming” and that he had “exploited their age and vulnerability.”
Impact on victims
The court heard statements from the victims’ families describing the psychological and emotional toll on the girls. These included severe anxiety, disruption to their education and a loss of personal safety.
Sentence terms
Sokoh must serve at least two-thirds of the 21-year term before he can be considered for parole. He was also placed permanently on the sex offenders register and given a lifetime restraining order barring any contact with the victims.
Police praise victims’ courage
Detective Constable Natalie Palmer of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit thanked the girls for their strength throughout the trial. “Throughout the process, the girls demonstrated incredible bravery,” she said. “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.”
Police said they remain committed to tackling violence against women and girls and urged anyone with further information relevant to the case to contact local law enforcement.
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