Liverpool, United Kingdom: A former commercial airline pilot who exploited his position and traveled hundreds of miles to assault a 12-year-old child has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison. Kwame Yeboah, a 30-year-old former British Airways First Officer residing in Reading, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13 and one count of sexual assault. The sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on June 24, 2026 follows a disturbing grooming campaign that began online late last year. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), contact between Yeboah and the victim was initiated on Instagram in late 2025. During their early digital correspondence, the victim initially claimed she was 17 years old. However, prosecutors established that Yeboah would have quickly realized her true age as their conversations progressed. "Kwame Yeboah would have known early on in his contact with this child that she was not the age she initially claimed to be," said Thomas Hanlon, Senior Crown Prosecutor. "She spoke about school and sent images of herself in school uniform." Despite these clear indications, Yeboah continued to message the child. Over the subsequent months, he established a routine of calling her twice a week, using manipulation to make her believe she was in a meaningful relationship. The CPS noted that Yeboah sent intimate photographs of himself as the interactions became increasingly explicit and sexualized. The grooming escalated to physical contact in February, when Yeboah traveled from his home in Berkshire to Wirral, Merseyside, a journey spanning hundreds of miles. Upon arrival, he picked up the 12-year-old girl, drove her to an isolated location, and assaulted her three times inside the vehicle. Statements provided to Merseyside Police indicated that the child struggled to process the severity of the incident at the time, reporting feelings of extreme nervousness and confusion. The abuse came to light days later when the victim confided in a friend, who subsequently informed her mother. Merseyside Police launched an immediate investigation, identifying Yeboah through personal details and contact information he had provided to the victim. Following his arrest, Yeboah maintained a "no comment" stance during all police interviews. Facing overwhelming evidence, he ultimately entered guilty pleas to all charges. In addition to his custodial sentence of eight years and four months, the court imposed a 15-year restraining order to protect the victim and prevent further contact. "He groomed the victim into believing she was in a relationship with someone who cared about her," Hanlon stated following the hearing. "In reality, he was an adult man who abused his position and exploited her for his own sexual gratification." Public profiles indicate that Yeboah had been employed by British Airways as a First Officer since 2023, following an extensive training period in commercial aviation. He was also heavily involved in the domestic sports community, having spent more than 17 years playing and refereeing under Basketball England.
Incidents

British Airways Pilot Sentenced To Over 8 Years For Grooming & Raping 12-Year-Old Girl

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Liverpool, United Kingdom: A former commercial airline pilot who exploited his position and traveled hundreds of miles to assault a […]