CHRISTOPHER RYLANDS FROM ELLESMERE PORT AND FRODSHAM ESCAPES PRISON AFTER SEX CHAT SCANDAL WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS
| Red Rose Database
Ellesmere Port Frodsham Child Sexual Abuser
In August 2018, Christopher Andrew Rylands, a 31-year-old man residing in Ellesmere Port, became the focus of a serious criminal investigation after he initiated inappropriate and sexual conversations with four girls believed to be under the age of 16 on Facebook. The case was brought to light during proceedings at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, August 20, where it was revealed that Rylands’s actions involved multiple instances of attempting to engage minors in sexual communication.
At the time of the offending, Rylands was living in Ellesmere Port, a town known for its industrial history and close-knit community. His interactions on social media included contacting a girl who was actually 15 years old, asking her if she wore thongs, and requesting explicit images from her. Additionally, he messaged another girl, claiming she was a 14-year-old, and asked her to perform a sexual act for him, while also requesting nude photographs. These messages demonstrated a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior directed at minors.
Further investigations uncovered that Rylands had also contacted individuals posing as underage girls, including paedophile hunters who had disguised themselves to catch offenders. One such hunter, who had told Rylands they were a 13-year-old girl, was approached by him with questions about her supposed naughtiness and was sent naked photos of himself. In another instance, Rylands messaged a person pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, asking her to perform a sexual act and requesting explicit images. He also sent a message to a paedophile hunter posing as an underage girl, inquiring if she wanted to see his penis.
Police were alerted when the paedophile hunters confronted Rylands at his workplace in Frodsham, a nearby town known for its historic sites and community events. Following the confrontation, authorities seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis, which confirmed that the messages were indeed authored by him. During police interviews, Rylands admitted to the messaging, acknowledging his involvement in the inappropriate communications.
It was also noted that Rylands had a prior conviction for a drink-driving offence, but he had no previous record of similar sexual misconduct. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which was considered favorably during sentencing. The court heard that the offences had occurred two years prior to the trial, and there was no evidence of ongoing offending behavior.
Prosecutor Frances Willmott outlined the details of the case, emphasizing that three of the victims were actually paedophile hunters in disguise, aiming to catch offenders like Rylands. The court was informed that one victim was a genuine 15-year-old girl, and the others were part of the covert operation. The messages included explicit content and solicitations for sexual acts, which demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory intent.
Judge Simon Berkson, presiding over the case, acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but also considered mitigating factors. He noted that Rylands had shown remorse by pleading guilty early and that prison would be particularly difficult for him to cope with, citing letters from his family and uncle as evidence of his personal circumstances. As a result, the judge decided against a custodial sentence.
Instead, Rylands was sentenced to a 30-month community order, which includes up to 60 days of rehabilitation activities and participation in a sex offender group programme. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts him from having unsupervised contact with children online. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.
At the time of the offending, Rylands was living in Ellesmere Port, a town known for its industrial history and close-knit community. His interactions on social media included contacting a girl who was actually 15 years old, asking her if she wore thongs, and requesting explicit images from her. Additionally, he messaged another girl, claiming she was a 14-year-old, and asked her to perform a sexual act for him, while also requesting nude photographs. These messages demonstrated a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior directed at minors.
Further investigations uncovered that Rylands had also contacted individuals posing as underage girls, including paedophile hunters who had disguised themselves to catch offenders. One such hunter, who had told Rylands they were a 13-year-old girl, was approached by him with questions about her supposed naughtiness and was sent naked photos of himself. In another instance, Rylands messaged a person pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, asking her to perform a sexual act and requesting explicit images. He also sent a message to a paedophile hunter posing as an underage girl, inquiring if she wanted to see his penis.
Police were alerted when the paedophile hunters confronted Rylands at his workplace in Frodsham, a nearby town known for its historic sites and community events. Following the confrontation, authorities seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis, which confirmed that the messages were indeed authored by him. During police interviews, Rylands admitted to the messaging, acknowledging his involvement in the inappropriate communications.
It was also noted that Rylands had a prior conviction for a drink-driving offence, but he had no previous record of similar sexual misconduct. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which was considered favorably during sentencing. The court heard that the offences had occurred two years prior to the trial, and there was no evidence of ongoing offending behavior.
Prosecutor Frances Willmott outlined the details of the case, emphasizing that three of the victims were actually paedophile hunters in disguise, aiming to catch offenders like Rylands. The court was informed that one victim was a genuine 15-year-old girl, and the others were part of the covert operation. The messages included explicit content and solicitations for sexual acts, which demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory intent.
Judge Simon Berkson, presiding over the case, acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but also considered mitigating factors. He noted that Rylands had shown remorse by pleading guilty early and that prison would be particularly difficult for him to cope with, citing letters from his family and uncle as evidence of his personal circumstances. As a result, the judge decided against a custodial sentence.
Instead, Rylands was sentenced to a 30-month community order, which includes up to 60 days of rehabilitation activities and participation in a sex offender group programme. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts him from having unsupervised contact with children online. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.