Chris May leading Benjamin Burge successfully prosecuted Emmanuel Igwebuike, who was unanimously convicted by a jury at Inner London Crown Court of 22 offences of sexual assault (including one multiple offence count) following a five-week trial in April 2022.
Mr Igwebuike used his position as a local football coach and church participant in South West London to groom and exploit his victims, who were young aspiring football players, over the course of several years. After initial complaints to the Metropolitan Police’s Complex Investigation Team, a total of seven male victims were identified. The evidence presented to the jury included the recordings of a three-day section 28 hearing in advance of the trial.
HHJ Newbery determined that Mr Igwebuike had been“highly exploitative and predatory.”
On 9th September 2022, HHJ Newbery sentenced him to an extended term of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The report from the Metropolitan Police can be found here. The report from the Evening Standard can be found here.
Chris is a heavyweight criminal barrister instructed in some of the most serious, and often high profile criminal cases either as the leading junior or sole advocate. Chris is ranked in Chambers and Partners for his criminal work.
Ben is a criminal practitioner. In recent years, he has developed a practice in the areas of serious and complex fraud, money laundering and business crime. He is frequently instructed as led junior counsel in lengthy, multi-defendant cases in the Crown Court including homicide.
