RYAN KIRK SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR OFFENSES IN SHEFFIELD
In September 2017, Ryan Kirk, 25, of St Andrew’s Close, Sunnyside, was sentenced to four years in prison after grooming a teenage girl.Kirk falsely presented himself as a 19-year-old man on Facebook, befriending the underage schoolgirl, as revealed in court proceedings.
The court heard that Kirk drove the victim to remote locations in an attempt to pressure her into a sexual relationship.
Detective Constable Lee Corker stated, "He completely took advantage of a young girl and exploited her, to satisfy his own sick and twisted need for control and power.
When he became aware the police were involved, he begged her not to reveal what had really happened, claiming he was too pretty to go to prison and instructing her on what to say.
He even checked in with her after she spoke to police." Initially, Kirk denied one count of grooming and three counts of sexual activity with a child.
However, he later pleaded guilty to the sexual charges at Sheffield Crown Court last week.
Although he denied the grooming offence, a jury found him guilty on Friday, August 4.
Corker commended the bravery of the young girl, saying, "The courage and bravery this young girl has shown in coming forward is truly commendable.
Kirk didn’t even have the decency to save her the ordeal of a trial, making her endure most of it until he decided to change his plea at the last minute."
