A former educational mentor was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually exploiting five at-risk teenage girls who sought his guidance at school.

Emem Udaw, 51, engaged in inappropriate contact with the girls between 2002 and 2005 while employed at Holland Park School in Kensington, west London. He touched them in private areas, compelled one to touch him inappropriately, and kissed another.

The victims, including a 13-year-old at the time of the incidents, expressed that they regarded Udaw as a trusted figure. However, he betrayed that trust by taking advantage of their vulnerability.

Following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court in December, Udaw was found guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16, encompassing 47 separate incidents.

During the sentencing at the same court, Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh addressed Udaw, who was surrounded by nearly 20 family members and friends, stating: “Your behavior was predatory, targeting those girls who either reached out to you or were referred to you because they were facing difficulties in their lives and/or at school while you served as their learning mentor. In every instance, you committed a blatant and gross violation of trust.”

Udaw will be registered as a sex offender for life and has received a sexual harm prevention order lasting 20 years.

In a victim impact statement, one of the complainants detailed reaching out to Udaw during a challenging period when her father relocated following an accident and subsequent incarceration, compounded by bullying at school.

“I placed my trust fully in him because I had known him since I was in primary school,” she recounted. “When he began to touch me, I felt bewildered, ashamed, betrayed, and revolted. Emem exploited my vulnerability when I was in desperate need of help and safety. The treachery from someone I believed was protective has left lasting scars.”

The prosecutor, Catherine Donnelly, noted that during this statement, a member of the defendant’s family made a “rude gesture” towards the victim, prompting the judge to have the individual removed from the courtroom.

Another victim, whose statement was read by Donnelly, remarked, “I lacked support, and no one was truly looking out for me.” Initially, she saw Udaw as a dependable adult and mentor who was “cool and approachable.” However, the abuse led her to view all men as untrustworthy predators.

One of the complainants shared her feelings of fear and isolation when she first encountered Udaw. “I came to this country as a teenager, unfamiliar with the language, culture, or people,” she explained in her statement. “After experiencing difficult situations with my mother and her partner, I found myself in foster care, which was often frightening and lonely. I had no one to confide in as a typical teenager might.”

She added that the school provided support, leading her to believe Udaw was a trustworthy adult. “At first, he seemed fine, but then I began to feel uneasy and anxious around him. He touched me inappropriately, leaving me scared, angry, and vulnerable,” she recalled.

Catherine Purnell, representing Udaw, stated that her client’s offenses were followed by a “significant period of no further wrongdoing.” She mentioned that during that time, he matured in a way that many young men do when building and nurturing their families, adding that the legal proceedings were “devastating” for his family.

The historic abuse was uncovered in 2019 when one victim raised concerns about inappropriate behavior by a former staff member in a social media forum, prompting others to come forward with similar claims.

Three victims reported the abuse to law enforcement in January 2020, with two additional victims stepping forward later that year. Udaw denied all allegations during police interviews, claiming he served as a positive role model, but was subsequently charged.

Holland Park School has notable alumni, including actress Anjelica Huston, TV presenter Miquita Oliver, and politicians like former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi.