A judge advised a convicted pedophile to face the truth about his actions after he avoided jail time. Martin Ryder, aged 56, engaged in sexual conversations with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl on a messaging app. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with a member of a vigilante group targeting pedophiles.
Following a confrontation at his residence by the group and subsequent arrest, the police discovered 46 indecent images of children on Ryder’s electronic devices. Among these, 15 were classified as the most severe category A, 18 as category B, and 13 as category C, some depicting the sexual abuse of infants and young children.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the prosecutor, Ian Criddle, revealed that Ryder’s illicit activities were exposed by a pedophile hunter group posing as a 13-year-old girl named Ella on the social media platform Chat-Avenue. Despite being informed of Ella’s real age, Ryder swiftly steered the conversation towards sexual topics.
The exchanges escalated as Ryder inquired inappropriately about Ella’s anatomy and requested explicit images. The conversations spanned three days in October, culminating in Ryder’s apprehension by the vigilante group at his home.
Ryder, residing in Seaforth, Merseyside, admitted guilt to three charges of possessing indecent images of children, one charge of attempting sexual communication with a minor, and possession of extreme pornography involving bestiality. Zahra Khan, his defense counsel, emphasized Ryder’s isolation and health issues as contributing factors to his actions.
In sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall acknowledged Ryder’s acknowledgment of responsibility and remorse but rebuked his denial of a sexual attraction to children. Despite deeming Ryder at low risk of reoffending, the judge handed down a 12-month suspended prison sentence, along with 35 rehabilitation days, a mental health treatment requirement, and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.