A former Manchester Phoenix ice hockey player who raped girls and tracked their movements, has been jailed for 41 offences.
Philip Hamer (34) of Birchfield Drive, Worsley, has been sentenced to 28 years, with an extended licence period of eight years, for sexual offences against seven victims between 2010 and 2023.
He pleaded guilty to several charges before a trial in November 2024, where he was found guilty of multiple offences including rape, sexual assault, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.
Hamer, who has also appeared as an extra in TV shows, is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, indefinite restraining orders against the victims, he is barred from working with children, and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Many of Hamer’s victims were teenagers at the time they were abused. After one victim came forward, Hamer’s phone was seized which enabled police to trace further victims.
In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, one victim explained the physical and mental toil the abuse at the hands of Hamer had taken on her.
She said: “Philip Hamer, the man who took away my innocence at such a young age.
“The man who made me feel so ashamed of myself for so many years. The man that made me feel disgusted in myself. The man that made me feel so lonely as I was too afraid to open up to anyone, I couldn’t even speak to my mum, my friends, my family.
“He made me feel fear, distress and trauma no young girl should have to go through. He took away my spark and gave me so much anxiety.
“For years I was too ashamed to look at myself in the mirror, as all I saw was the girl that man lusted over.
“He will never earn my forgiveness for what he did to me. He doesn’t deserve it. But I am no longer going to let him have a hold on my life like he once did.
“I can now continue to succeed in life, knowing I finally have the justice me and the other girls whose lives he impacted deserve.
“This man changed the course of my life, what he did to me impacted on my schooling massively and it isolated me from my friendship group.
“When I should have been enjoying school, growing up having new experiences with friends, I was controlled by that man, making me believe that he would disclose my worst secrets to my friends.”
Detective constable Denise Garde said: “Philip Hamer is a sexual predator. In his police interview, Hamer showed a denial for any wrongdoing in his actions. He did not believe that he was a sexual predator and that his actions caused severe harm and distress to his victims.
“He incited his victims to send him hundreds of pictures and videos over a period of seven years. One victim was in fear that Hamer may disclose the pictures to others or come to their address.
“After seizing his devices, we later found voyeuristic videos and pictures Hamer had taken of people in changing rooms who were not aware they were being filmed.
“It took one brave victim to come forward, speak to our officers and detail their abuse. This opened up the whole case and resulted in us obtaining evidence that Hamer was a prolific sex offender.
“Our commitment to protecting victims of sexual abuse is unwavering. Speaking out about sexual abuse is incredibly difficult, but I ask that those who believe they are going through something similar, report this to us.
“Time is no barrier when it comes to being sexually abused – no matter how long ago it was, or how old you were at the time, we will listen to you. We will support you, investigate, and act robustly against perpetrators. We will take your allegations seriously and treat you with dignity and respect.”
Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
