RYAN WOOD OF BARNSEY BRANDED CHILD SEX ABUSE VICTIMS 'STUPID' WHILE PLOTTING KIDNAP AND RAPE OF HOMELESS BOY IN LEEDS

In May 2021, Ryan Wood, a 23-year-old from Barnsley, was involved in serious criminal activities related to child exploitation. He was found to have plotted with another paedophile to kidnap and rape a homeless boy in Leeds. During the investigation, detectives searched Wood's home in February 2019 and discovered child pornography stored on his mobile phone and two laptops, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

The court was told that Wood was questioned by police after they found 'sexual and disturbing' images, videos, and horrific search terms on his devices. During his police interview, Wood dismissed the victims, describing them as 'stupid' and stating they 'should know better,' as prosecutor Andrew Bailey reported.

It was also revealed that, upon arrest, Wood punched himself and expressed a desire for help, claiming he needed to be fixed. Additionally, he attempted to cover his tracks by claiming he was engaging in chatroom activities to catch paedophiles as an online hunter.

The presiding judge, Recorder David Preston, emphasized the severity of Wood’s offences, stating that his actions were so serious they warranted a prison sentence. Wood pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, two counts of distributing indecent images, and one count of possessing a prohibited image. The judge described his attempts to deceive police as creating a 'pack of lies,' falsely claiming he was trying to trap paedophiles.

Delivering his sentence, Mr. Preston highlighted the nature of the images and chat conversations, noting that Wood had obtained and used images of children being raped for his sexual gratification. The judge condemned Wood’s attitude, stating, 'The suggestion in your interview that children were stupid and their parents should look after them better was grossly offensive. You do not blame victims of sexual abuse for their abuse.'

He further observed that Wood appeared to 'revel' in disturbing chats and sharing illegal images. The court heard that Wood fantasized about teaming up with others to target vulnerable children, such as those who were homeless or the children of drug users.

Sentencing Wood to 20 months in prison, the judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order and ordered that he remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years. His address was noted as Jardine Street, Barnsley.