Ex-Team GB star jailed for repeated rape of teenage girls

Over a period of 13 years, he groomed and manipulated teenagers and children using social media apps.

Philip Hamer was found guilty of 33 rape and assault charges between 2010 and 2023.

#JAILED | Man jailed for 36 years for sexual offences against young girls

Philip Hamer (13/08/1990) from Worsley, has today (Wednesday 5 February 2025) been sentenced to 36 years for sexual offences against seven victims.

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— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) February 5, 2025

Hamer, of Birchfield Drive in Worsley, sent unsolicited pictures to his victims and tracked their movements.

Over a period of seven years he incited his victims to send hundreds of pictures and videos.

Victims of the 34-year-old, who were sat in the public gallery at Manchester Crown Court, wept and clapped as the judge read out his charges.

The former Olympic athlete, who also worked as an extra on British soap programmes, was jailed for 41 sexual offences.

The court heard how he met one of his victims on the set of a television show.

Jailing him for 28 years, with an extended licence period of eight years, Judge Sarah Johnston told the defendant: "These were no relationships – you manipulated and groomed these young girls, inexperienced and impressionable as they were, in a way that was controlling and coercive.

"Your offending is both opportunistic and actively seeking out, manipulating, grooming, exploiting and the abuse of female children, mostly teens but including a child as young as 11."

Victim impact statements detailed the trauma of the "lost innocence" of youngsters he abused, some still having therapy or suffering issues with alcohol and self-harm.

One victim said: "Philip Hamer, the man who took away my innocence at such a young age.

"He made me feel fear, distress and trauma no young girl should have to go through. He took away my spark and gave me so much anxiety.

"For years I was too ashamed to look at myself in the mirror, as all I saw was the girl that man lusted over.

"He will never earn my forgiveness for what he did to me. He doesn’t deserve it. But I am no longer going to let him have a hold on my life like he once did."

She added: "When I should have been enjoying school, growing up having new experiences with friends, I was controlled by that man, making me believe that he would disclose my worst secrets to my friends.

"This impacted on my relationships, making me feel guilty for what he did to me."

According to The Independent, the sex offender’s phone was seized after one of his victims came forward, allowing Greater Manchester Police to trace further victims, the force said.

Officers also found pictures and videos Hamer had taken of people in changing rooms who were not aware they were being filmed.

Hamer approached his victims on Snapchat and Instagram, used his real name and sent them direct messages with “little attempt to disguise who he was”, DC Garde added.

Hamer would send unsolicited pictures and incited his victims to send him hundreds of pictures and videos, his sexual desires often involving school uniforms, his trial heard.

He often used his car to take his victims to isolated places where the abuse took place.

One victim feared that Hamer may disclose the pictures to others or come to their home.