A former British ice hockey player and television extra, Philip Hamer, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the sexual assault and abuse of seven girls, including one as young as 11. The verdict, delivered at Manchester Crown Court, was met with emotional reactions from the victims, who expressed both relief and sorrow. Hamer, 34, was convicted on 41 charges related to rapes and abuses that occurred between 2010 and 2023, as confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.
The court heard that Hamer used social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat to groom and manipulate his victims, starting with a 14-year-old girl in 2010. Judge Sarah Johnston condemned Hamer’s actions, emphasising that these were not genuine relationships but controlling and coercive acts against impressionable young girls. Following the revelation by one victim, police were able to identify additional victims by examining Hamer’s phone.
One survivor poignantly stated that Hamer robbed her of her innocence and made her ashamed of herself. She described the lasting trauma and anxiety he inflicted upon her, but also expressed a determination to reclaim her life and move forward now that justice has been served. In addition to his prison sentence, Hamer will face an extended licence period of eight years.