LOUIS RYAN OF TORPOINT SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF UNDERAGE GIRLS

In June 2014, Louis Ryan, a 22-year-old man from Cedar Drive, Torpoint, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the grooming and sexual exploitation of five underage girls.

Ryan appeared at Truro Crown Court last week, where Judge Harvey Clark QC handed down the sentence following Ryan’s admission to 11 counts. These included four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of meeting a child under 16 after sexual grooming, one count of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act. Additionally, he admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, producing an indecent photograph of a child, and distributing an indecent image.

The crimes involved five victims—all under 16 and unnamed for legal reasons—committed between January and June of the previous year. The court was told that Ryan had contacted hundreds of girls via social networking platforms, employing a methodical approach to befriend them and initiate conversations.

Over time, Ryan began making sexual suggestions and sending explicit images and videos of himself. Investigations revealed that he had arranged to meet two of these underage girls on separate occasions. During one meeting, he made a girl watch him perform a sexual act; in another, he encouraged a girl to perform a sexual act on him.

Judge Clark described Ryan as a “persistent and perverted” offender who posed a “significant risk of serious harm in the future.” As part of his sentence, Ryan was given a four-year prison term and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. This order bans him from “associating, engaging or talking with any child or young person under the age of 16 in any public or private place, including the internet,” until further notice. Additionally, Ryan was ordered to register as a sex offender until further orders.

Det Con Darren White of Devon and Cornwall Police’s Child Exploitation Unit, who led the investigation, commented: “The law clearly states the age of consent is 16 years. The law is there to protect young people, especially those vulnerable to exploitation. Louis Ryan systematically sought out, befriended, and exploited young females for his own sexual gratification over a significant period.

He contacted and befriended hundreds of girls across various social networking sites, identifying them to achieve his desires. The sentence reflects the severity of his actions.”

He added, “Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to investigating child exploitation offences. We encourage anyone who fears they may be a victim to come forward; they will receive support from us.”

Earlier, in May 2014, Ryan had already admitted to 12 counts of sexual offences relating to five underage girls. At that time, he pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, as well as causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent photograph, and distributing an indecent image. The offences occurred between January and June of the previous year.

The case was adjourned to allow for a pre-sentence report, and Ryan was granted conditional bail until his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 13.