RYAN NEALE AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN CUMBRIA

A woman from Cumbria endured a terrifying ordeal after being manipulated and bullied into meeting a man she had communicated with through online platforms. The incident culminated in her being raped in a car park near a school in Carlisle, a distressing event that has shocked the local community.

Ryan Neale, aged 23, was responsible for the heinous assault. The court heard that Neale compelled the woman to comply with his demands under threatening circumstances, insisting that she either provide him with sex or give him money, or face the consequences of having private sexual images of her publicly shared on social media. This coercive act was part of a calculated attempt by Neale to exert control over her through intimidation.

During proceedings at Carlisle Crown Court, the defendant, who resides on Lingmoor Way in Harraby, pleaded guilty to a single charge of rape. The prosecution had initially brought more charges against him, including blackmail and witness intimidation, but these additional allegations were later dropped. The case focused on the sexual assault itself, which Neale committed after a series of manipulative exchanges.

Prosecutor Hannah Forsyth detailed the background of the incident, explaining that Neale and the woman had established contact through Snapchat, where they exchanged flirtatious and sexual messages and images. As their online relationship progressed, they arranged to meet in person. The planned meeting was scheduled for October 14, 2021. However, days before their rendezvous, the woman scrutinized Neale’s Facebook profile and discovered that he was significantly younger than she had previously believed. Concerned about this revelation, she decided to cancel their meeting.

This cancellation enraged Neale, who responded by issuing threats. He insisted that she either give him 100 pounds in cash or have sex with him. Failing to meet these demands, he threatened to publicly post the sexual images he had of her across social media platforms. Despite her pleas for him to cease his coercive threats, Neale remained relentless, forcing her into a difficult choice.

Feeling increasingly trapped and terrified of what he might do, the woman felt she had no option but to meet Neale in Carlisle. She drove into the city and proceeded to the Richard Rose Morton Academy car park, where Neale attacked her. The evidence from the case clearly demonstrated that the woman did not consent to the sexual activity; her meeting with Neale was solely driven by her fear and his intimidation tactics.

Later that same evening, Neale contacted the woman once more, demanding money. Fearing further harm or exposure, she reported the incident to the police. This report led to a swift police investigation. On October 16, 2021, officers executed a search at Neale’s home, where he was found hiding beneath a sofa. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Following his arrest, Neale was released on bail but did not change his behavior. He later contacted the victim again, warning her that involving the police was 'the biggest mistake of her life.'

Court records revealed that Neale had an extensive criminal history, with 26 previous convictions, including two for domestic violence against a former partner. His past offenses painted a troubling picture of his propensity for violence and misuse of relationships.

The victim delivered a heartfelt statement, describing her struggles with intense anger and insomnia. She explained that the trauma she experienced had a profound impact on her mental health, leaving her unable to continue her previous employment and with diminished motivation to go out socially. Her sense of safety had been severely compromised, and her emotional well-being was deeply affected.

In his defense, Kim Whittlestsone acknowledged that Neale had taken responsibility for his actions, attributing his misconduct to alcohol and drug use at the time. The barrister emphasized that Neale did indeed feel remorse for what he had done.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker expressed his condemnation of Neale’s actions. He pointed out that Neale was fully aware of the woman’s vulnerability, knowing that she would suffer shame and humiliation if her private images were publicly shared. The judge described Neale’s conduct as exploitative, highlighting that he had deliberately taken advantage of her fear and helplessness. The element of blackmail was also emphasized, illustrating the calculated nature of Neale’s offending.

As a result, Ryan Neale was sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison. Additionally, he will be subject to lifetime registration on the Sex Offender Register. After the conclusion of the case, Detective Constable Hein Van Der West praised the victim’s courage in coming forward, describing Neale as an "evil man who failed to accept any responsibility for what he did until the very end." The community of Cumbria remains alert to the dangers posed by individuals like Neale, who manipulate and abuse trust for their own depraved ends.