A Nigerian man who used Snapchat to groom and rape teenage girls has been jailed for 21 years.
Goodness Sokoh, from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, offered four girls free vapes and cannabis through the app before luring them into his car. He messaged them between 31 October and 17 December 2025 under the username GWDY_SXNGS and met with them in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.
Sokoh was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, and one count of inciting a child into sexual activity.
During sentencing at Amersham Law Court, Judge Catherine Tulk told 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 sexual activity with you.”
Judge Tulk added that his actions were clear evidence of grooming and that he had exploited their age and vulnerability.
One of the girls said in a victim impact statement read out in court that she harmed herself, stopped going to school, had difficulty sleeping and no longer felt safe after she was harmed by Sokoh.
In another statement, the mother of one of the girls said her daughter had attempted to take her own life and struggled with anxiety and sleepless nights, adding that her bubbly personality has dimmed.
The mother of another girl said her daughter was stuck in a cycle of insomnia and constant nightmares, and felt judged by others for being groomed and raped.
Sokoh was arrested on 17 December and charged two days later.
Thames Valley Police says it is keeping an open mind about the possibility of further victims and has encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Palmer of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “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.”
She added that the force is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and stressed that victims who do not want to speak to police can report offences anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers.
Sokoh will serve two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He will be placed on the sexual offenders register and will have a lifetime restraining order prohibiting contact with the four girls.
By John James
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