IAN RYDER SENTENCED IN MANCHESTER FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGE OFFENCES
In May 2021, Ian Ryder, a 67-year-old pensioner, was found to possess over 20,000 indecent images of children after he posted an abusive photograph on his Instagram account.Ryder kept a USB stick containing thousands of such images concealed inside a shoe in his vehicle.
This USB was discovered during a police raid on his home on Lock Lane in Bolton in July 2019.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Ryder had been flagged by the National Crime Agency following his social media activity.
Prosecutor Bob Sastry explained that during the search, officers seized several electronic devices.
"A USB device was found inside a shoe in the defendant's car," he stated.
"The defendant admitted to the officer that there would be pictures of children on the devices." Authorities recovered two Category A moving images—depicting penetration—and one Category B image involving non-penetrative sexual activity.
Additionally, they found a staggering 22,754 Category C images, which included erotic poses, along with 36 Category C moving images.
Among the seized items was a PDF document titled 'privacy pursuit,' providing guidance on using private networks and encryption to erase search history from the device.
Ryder’s legal representative, Mark Shanks, revealed that his client is now retired and divorced, but had experienced loneliness in his marriage when he committed these offences.
"It started off with images that weren't quite right, and then it spiralled," Mr.
Shanks said.
"Since this was uncovered, he is utterly disgusted with himself.
To say he is remorseful doesn’t even do it justice." He further mentioned that Ryder’s family and friends had disowned him, with his mother being the only person who maintained support until her passing in October last year.
"This has caused him immense pain," Shanks added.
"He fully accepts responsibility for his actions." Ryder was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for two years, after admitting to three counts of possessing indecent images and one count of distributing such images.
The court also ordered him to complete 40 days of rehabilitation, placed him under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and mandated that he register as a sex offender for seven years.
Judge Andrea Neild addressed the court, stating: "It is extremely sad to see a man of your age and status brought before us for these revolting offences.
The phrase used by your counsel reflects the severity of your actions.
"You have effectively sentenced yourself as your life has been severely affected by the discovery of your viewing these images." The judge noted the potential for rehabilitation, recognizing that Ryder had already begun to seek change at his own expense.
