ERIK GLYNN RYAN FROM LITTLE HULTON JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE AFTER 30 YEARS

In a case that spanned over three decades, Eric Glynn Ryan, a resident of Little Hulton, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually abusing his young sister-in-law. The abuse, which occurred approximately 30 years ago, only came to light recently when the victim, Jane Nixon, found the courage to report her ordeal to the police.

Jane Nixon, now 43 years old, chose to waive her right to anonymity in order to share her story publicly and to serve as a warning to others who might be suffering in silence. She revealed that Ryan, then aged 23, had sexually assaulted her when she was between 11 and 13 years old. The abuse took place over a period of two years, during which Ryan used a combination of gifts and threats to maintain control over her.

According to Jane, Ryan would often buy her stickers and allow her to sit on his lap and steer his car while he was driving, actions that initially seemed innocent but were part of his grooming process. He also threatened to leave her sister, who was his wife, if Jane ever disclosed what was happening. These manipulative tactics created a climate of fear and silence that persisted for years.

It was only two years prior to the trial that Jane finally confided in the authorities. Following a seven-day trial at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Ryan was found guilty of three counts of indecency with a child. The court sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

During the proceedings, Libby Nicholls, Ryan’s defense lawyer, argued that there was no evidence of any other abuse beyond what was presented in court. She described Ryan as a 'popular' and 'loyal' family man, emphasizing that this was his first time being incarcerated. In her mitigation statement, she acknowledged the difficulty Ryan would face in prison, especially given his family ties.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar, presiding over the case, addressed the court and highlighted the disturbing nature of the abuse. He stated, “It’s quite clear from the evidence there was a period of time over which Jane Nixon was groomed by you. You were kind to her, showing your kindness by buying her stickers and taking her on drives, allowing her to sit on your lap to steer your car and so forth. When it came to the offending, she did not suspect anything untoward when you invited her to your home where the offending took place.”

The judge further explained that Jane had tried to avoid Ryan’s advances by hiding in wardrobes, but ultimately, her fear and the manipulation tactics he employed—threatening to leave her sister—forced her to succumb to his misconduct. The case underscores the importance of speaking out against abuse, regardless of how much time has passed, and serves as a reminder of the lasting impact such trauma can have on victims.