A Nigerian student in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to three years in prison after being caught by online paedophile hunters while attempting to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes. Anderson Ishiekwene, 25, was arrested just eight days after initiating a sexual conversation with a decoy profile, as revealed in court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court.
Arrest and Charges
According to a report by BBB News on Monday, August 3, 2026, Ishiekwene exchanged over 300 pages of messages with the decoy, which was operated by the paedophile hunter group. Throughout the interaction, he repeatedly requested that the 'girl' delete his messages, indicating an awareness of the illicit nature of the conversations.
Ishiekwene admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and was found guilty of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. The court heard that he had arrived in the UK from Nigeria on a student visa in August 2025 and settled in Sunderland.
Details of the Offence
On January 2, Ishiekwene messaged the profile of a 14-year-old girl on Facebook, and the conversation quickly moved to WhatsApp. Prosecutor Cole Cockburn stated that Ishiekwene was repeatedly informed that the girl was 14 years old. Over the following days, he asked her about school and her uniform, as well as intimate questions about her body.
The court was told that he requested pictures of her and sent an image of his naked groin. When she refused to send pictures, he would label it 'unfair' and claim it was a 'normal thing for people to do in a relationship,' according to Cockburn.
The Planned Meeting
They agreed to meet at the Galleries in Washington on January 10, with Ishiekwene expressing a desire to kiss and sexually touch her like 'lovers.' However, upon getting off the bus, he was met by members of the paedophile hunting group, and police were called to arrest him.
Despite denying that he went to meet the 'girl' for sexual reasons, Ishiekwene was found guilty after a three-day trial. Judge Robert Spragg stated that the sexual activity planned for January 10 was a 'precursor' to an intention for full sex on a future occasion. He also noted that the probation service had 'little doubt' that Ishiekwene was 'attracted to children.'
Sentencing and Consequences
In addition to the prison sentence, Ishiekwene was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely. The judge indicated that upon release, Ishiekwene would likely face automatic deportation.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of undercover paedophile hunter groups and law enforcement in the UK to identify and prosecute individuals attempting to exploit children online. The swift arrest and conviction serve as a warning to others engaging in similar behaviour.
