RYAN CLEMENTS FROM SOUTH OCKENDON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENDER CASE IN BASILDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of South Ockendon, Ryan Clements, a 28-year-old sex offender, was brought before Basildon Crown Court in May 2017 to face serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as the possession of extreme pornography involving animal abuse. Despite the gravity of his crimes, Clements was ultimately spared immediate imprisonment, with the court opting for a suspended sentence due to concerns over his potential access to rehabilitative treatment outside of prison.

According to prosecutor Carolyn Gardiner, police first identified Clements in 2016 after receiving intelligence that linked him to accessing indecent images of children via the internet. On May 5 of that year, authorities acted on this information, executing a search at his residence in South Ockendon. During the raid, officers confiscated a touch tablet, a disk from his bedroom, and a USB memory card. These devices revealed a disturbing collection of explicit photographs and videos depicting young children, with a total of 962 images categorized into different levels of severity: 310 from Category A, the most serious, 191 from Category B, and 461 from Category C.

Further investigation uncovered that Clements had sent 31 of these images to another individual through Skype messaging. The police also discovered that he had downloaded an additional 265 prohibited images, which appeared to be Japanese cartoon-style depictions of children in sexualized scenarios. Clements admitted to downloading these images during police interviews, revealing that he used a website featuring content of males masturbating into young children’s underwear.

It was also revealed that Clements, operating under the alias ‘Essex Paedo,’ frequented online chat rooms and used the messaging app ‘Kik’ to connect with other offenders and find more illicit material. In a particularly disturbing detail, he shared his Dropbox account password with other paedophiles, allowing them access to his extensive collection of child abuse images, most of which depicted children under the age of four.

Despite having received a police caution in 2011 for viewing indecent images, Clements’ behavior did not cease. The court heard that he managed to abstain from his harmful activities for a couple of years but eventually resumed his disturbing habits. When questioned about how these images made him feel, Clements stated, “I just seem I always make my way to it. When I see a child in the street I never think of them in that way,” revealing a troubling disconnect from the reality of his actions.

Judge Pugh, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of Clements’ crimes, stating, “It is worth noting that these are not victimless crimes. Every single child you have viewed has been abused. It is people like you that means abuse of children continues.” Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation, the judge expressed concern that Clements might not receive the necessary treatment if incarcerated, which led to the decision to suspend his prison sentence.

As a result, Clements was sentenced to two years in prison for making and distributing indecent images, with an additional one-year sentence for possessing extreme pornography involving animal abuse, and another year for possessing prohibited images. All sentences were suspended for two years and served concurrently. The court also ordered Clements to undertake 250 hours of unpaid community work, complete 60 days of rehabilitative treatment, and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, aiming to prevent any future offenses and protect the community from his harmful behavior.