RYAN EARLS OF ILFRACOMBE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING TEENAGE GIRLS IN NORTH DEVON

In March 2018, a disturbing case of sexual exploitation and grooming came to light involving Ryan Earls, a 24-year-old man from High Street, Ilfracombe. Earls was found guilty of a series of serious offences related to his inappropriate and predatory behavior towards underage girls, which ultimately led to his imprisonment for five years.

According to court proceedings, Earls had established a troubling pattern of befriending girls who were four to five years younger than himself. He would engage them in conversations about their personal problems, encouraging them to confide in him. During these interactions, he also introduced them to smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol, activities that are illegal for minors. As his relationship with these girls progressed, Earls would engage in kissing or sexual activity with them, exploiting their vulnerability and trust.

The court was informed that Earls blatantly disregarded multiple warnings from law enforcement authorities to cease contact with these vulnerable teenagers. Despite being cautioned, he continued to meet with them in various public spaces, including churchyards and at school gates, which further facilitated his grooming activities. The girls, whom he referred to as his ‘sexy circle,’ were often in environments where they should have been in school or at home, but instead found themselves under Earls’ influence.

Legal records show that Earls pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of making indecent images of children. The police investigation was triggered when the victims, now older and more confident, summoned the courage to speak out about their experiences. Their testimonies painted a harrowing picture of manipulation and emotional control exercised by Earls.

During the trial, two of the victims delivered emotionally charged statements describing the profound and lasting damage caused by Earls’ actions. One victim expressed her belief that Earls deserved to serve time in prison to understand the gravity of his misconduct. She revealed that her trust in men had been shattered, and she now struggles with issues related to relationships, sex, depression, and anxiety.

The second victim shared that the trauma from her experience had left an indelible mark on her life. She described her memories as “stabs in the chest” that haunted her, preventing her from enjoying a carefree or spontaneous youth. Her home life had suffered, and she recounted how former friends had distanced themselves from her. Her primary desire was for justice, stating, “I want Ryan to go to prison. I feel I’ve suffered for six years and want him to suffer for the same length of time. Most of all I want closure – I just want it to be over.”

The court heard that these offences occurred when Earls was between 17 and 18 years old, during a period when he was briefly homeless and residing in supported accommodation in North Devon. Staff at a council-funded organization had previously warned Earls about his inappropriate conduct after observing him in the company of younger teens. On one occasion, a 13-year-old girl in her school uniform was found in his room, prompting further concern.

Despite these warnings, Earls continued his behavior. He was served with child abduction notices but chose to ignore them. Judge David Evans highlighted the danger Earls posed, stating, “It’s clear the attraction for them was being in the presence of an older, charismatic male. The ease with which all could drink alcohol and smoke tobacco or cannabis, which you did not dissuade them from doing, was deeply troubling. Sometimes these girls were under the influence. The topics of conversation were sexual, and sexual activity was frequently discussed.”

The judge emphasized that Earls had been warned multiple times to cease his interactions with the girls, yet he persisted. The full extent of his misconduct was uncovered in June 2014 when authorities discovered indecent images on his computer during an investigation prompted by concerns from the manager of his accommodation in Barnstaple. The images included photographs of girls he had befriended, some of whom had sent him pictures, along with search terms indicating an interest in underage sex.

Police also spoke with the mother of one victim, who described Earls as having a ‘hypnotic’ hold over her daughter, further illustrating the manipulative nature of his actions. Ultimately, Earls’ criminal activities and the harm caused to his victims led to his conviction and subsequent sentencing, marking a significant case in the ongoing fight against child exploitation in North Devon.