JASON RYAN, PAEDOPHILE DRAMA TEACHER FROM GRAPPENHALL, SENTENCED IN WARINGTON

A drama teacher and registered sex offender, Jason Ryan from Grappenhall, was sentenced to a 10-year notification requirement by Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 1, following his conviction in Ireland last year. Ryan, who met a 14-year-old pupil during rehearsals for a school play, sent her sexually explicit messages over a period of a month in 2014.

The court heard that Ryan, 43, of Kildonan Road, used the pseudonym John Marks to contact his victim, first reaching out a month after the school musical had been staged. During a single day, he sent her 40 Facebook messages, many of which were sexual in nature, including a message with a photo from her account accompanied by the caption "mmmm." Ryan also shared a photograph of her in a bikini beside a pool during a family holiday, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Following advice from friends, the girl reported Ryan’s behaviour to a teacher, leading the school’s principal to contact police. In July 2014, police raided his Kilkenny home while his wife and three children were present. Ryan was arrested at the scene, with a laptop, mobile phone, and tablet seized by Garda officers. An extensive investigation was subsequently launched.

During the investigation, Ryan, who ran his own production company, was found to have complimented the girl on her eyes, smile, and body, stating in one message: "You look so hot and your body is so mmm." He claimed to have been aroused by a picture of her, telling her, "You have to admit you look hot in that pic." He also inquired if she had a boyfriend or was sexually active; after she reminded him she was 14, Ryan responded, "I know some girls who start at 12." The girl told him to leave her alone, to which Ryan replied, "I thought the conversation might turn you on a little." He then apologized, admitted being attracted to her, and agreed to stop messaging her.

In interview, Ryan confessed to using the Facebook account, mistakenly believing the girl was 15 or 16 years old. A victim impact statement read to the court described how she felt anxious and frightened for years afterward, leading to a decline in her interest in music and drama.

Ryan, who lost his partner in November 2020, was defended by his legal counsel as a good person who made a very foolish mistake. As of late last year, he was working at an NHS vaccination centre.

Judge Francis Comerford sentenced Ryan to 23 months in prison, suspended for 23 months. Magistrates’ chairman Lynn Colter-Howard ordered him to sign the offenders register at Warrington Police Station within three days. Ryan, who has a prior minor motoring conviction, responded in court, "I fully understand, thank you very much."