PAUL RYAN FROM SOUTHPORT CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND DARK WEB ACCESS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Southport, Paul Ryan, aged 33, was recently convicted of possessing, distributing, and creating a staggering number of child sexual abuse images. The investigation into Ryan’s online activities uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior that spanned several years, culminating in his arrest and subsequent sentencing.

Back in 2012, Ryan was found guilty of 21 counts related to child exploitation, which included making, possessing, and distributing approximately 47,000 indecent images of children. His actions led to a sentence of 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with the imposition of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This order restricted his internet usage, requiring that his browsing history be recorded and accessible for inspection at all times. Additionally, Ryan was prohibited from possessing any digital devices capable of storing files unless those devices were viewable and could be monitored by authorities.

Despite these restrictions, authorities discovered that Ryan had continued his illicit activities. On April 7 of this year, police officers visited his residence on Stanley Street, Southport, and uncovered a new collection of vile images. Prosecutor Chris Taylor explained that Ryan had been viewing indecent images on his desktop computer, which was connected to an external storage device. Initially, Ryan denied any wrongdoing but eventually handed over a USB stick containing 109 disturbing images, including 57 video clips. Notably, the police found no trace of these images on his computer because Ryan had installed the Tor browser software, which provides access to the Dark Web and is often used to conceal online activity.

The images recovered from the USB included 50 in the most serious Category A, along with 17 in Category B and 42 in Category C. Ryan admitted to breaching the SOPO on two occasions, as well as making three counts of indecent images of children and possessing one. The court heard that Ryan’s use of the Tor browser and external storage devices was a deliberate attempt to hide his illegal activities from law enforcement.

Judge Cummings acknowledged Ryan’s troubled background, noting his history of self-harm and suicide attempts, as well as his struggle with a personality disorder. However, the judge emphasized that a psychiatric report indicated no direct causal link between his mental health issues and his criminal conduct. Ryan was sentenced to an additional 12 months in prison, which was suspended, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and adhere to the Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next ten years.

Looking back at the case from 2012, Ryan, then 27, had managed to avoid jail despite possessing over 47,000 child abuse images. His case was delayed for three years, hanging over him, after Belgian police uncovered a European paedophile ring linked to a Luxembourg-based website. Interpol provided law enforcement with details of individuals who had downloaded child pornography from the site in March and April 2009. Armed with this information, Merseyside police arrested Ryan at his home on Duke Street, Southport.

During the investigation, police found that Ryan’s computer was heavily encrypted, protected by 14 different passwords, which forensic experts had to obtain from him. Ryan also used specialized software to mask his online activities. The police recovered a total of 47,162 indecent images of young girls, some as young as four, being sexually abused. The collection included images categorized from one to five, with the most serious being Category One. Over 300 films depicting similar abuse were also seized.

In interviews with detectives, Ryan admitted to creating the images and allowing files to be shared, which constituted distribution. He pleaded guilty to 21 charges, including making indecent images, distributing them, and possessing extreme pornography. His defense lawyer, Rory McCormack, requested leniency, highlighting Ryan’s vulnerability due to his mental health issues, including a diagnosed personality disorder with depressive traits, and his history of self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

Judge David Boulton addressed Ryan directly, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. He explained that the images depicted actual sexual abuse of children, representing serious criminal offenses and the violation of innocent childhoods. The judge expressed distress over some of the images he reviewed. Despite the severity of the crimes, the judge chose to suspend Ryan’s sentence, citing his early guilty plea, good character, and supportive family. Ryan was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and was placed under a supervision order for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a sex offender treatment program and to sign the sex offenders register for ten years.