Ice hockey player Philip Hamer has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after being convicted of 41 sexual offences, including rape and abuse of seven girls. The victims of the former professional hockey player and TV extra clapped as he was jailed at Manchester Crown Court. Hamer, 34, manipulated and groomed girls as young as 11 using social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram before sexually abusing them. The court heard that he held a “wholly distorted view of children as sexual objects” and targeted vulnerable young girls in their early to mid-teens.
Hamer’s offending spanned from 2010 to 2023, with his first victim being groomed when she was just 14 years old. Despite admitting to 20 offences, Hamer denied others, claiming one victim was “sexually experienced”. Judge Sarah Johnston condemned his actions, stating that his behaviour was controlling, coercive, and actively sought to exploit and abuse young girls. Victim impact statements highlighted the long-lasting trauma and devastation caused by Hamer’s abuse, with survivors struggling with trust issues, self-harm, and difficulties in forming relationships.
His predatory behaviour involved sending unsolicited pictures to victims and coercing them to send explicit images and videos over a period of seven years. Police discovered voyeuristic videos and images taken by Hamer without the knowledge of the victims in changing rooms. Despite previous allegations in 2011, a police investigation was only launched in 2023 after a brave victim came forward. The investigation revealed Hamer to be a prolific sex offender with a pattern of grooming and abuse.
Detective Constable Denise Garde described Hamer as a “sexual predator” who caused severe harm and distress to his victims. She encouraged other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and assured them of police support and commitment to robustly pursue perpetrators. Hamer’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the impact on the lives of the survivors who bravely shared their experiences in court.
In summary, Philip Hamer’s case sheds light on the insidious nature of sexual grooming and abuse, especially when perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust. The courage of the survivors in speaking out against their abuser serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and believing victims of sexual violence. Police and judicial authorities play a crucial role in holding perpetrators accountable and providing justice for those affected by such heinous crimes.