JASON RYAN FROM SWADLINCOTE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 14-YEAR-OLD IN IRELAND

In a disturbing case that has garnered significant attention, Jason Ryan, a resident of Swadlincote, was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl during a period of intense online communication. The incident, which took place over a month in 2014, involved the former drama teacher sending numerous sexually explicit messages to his young victim, who was a student at a local school.

Ryan, who was known to have met the girl during rehearsals for a school play, used the pseudonym John Marks to conceal his identity while engaging with her on Facebook. The messages he sent were not only frequent but also increasingly inappropriate, with one day alone seeing him dispatching as many as 40 messages. Among these were photographs, including one of the girl in a bikini by a pool during a family holiday, which made her feel uncomfortable and distressed.

The girl, now aged 14, was initially unaware of Ryan’s true identity and intentions. However, after receiving a series of messages that included compliments on her eyes, smile, and body—such as “You look so hot and your body is so mmm”—she became increasingly uneasy. Ryan also inquired about her personal life, asking if she had a boyfriend or was sexually active. When she reminded him that she was only 14, he shockingly responded that he knew some girls who start at age 12.

Following her discomfort, the girl confided in a teacher, who then alerted the school’s principal. Acting on this information, authorities in Ireland launched an investigation. In July 2014, police raided Ryan’s home in Kilkenny, where his wife and three children were present. During the raid, officers seized his laptop, mobile phone, and tablet. Ryan was arrested at the scene, and subsequent investigations revealed that he had continued to communicate with the girl, despite her clear request for him to leave her alone.

During police interviews, Ryan admitted to using the Facebook account and claimed he believed the girl was older—around 15 or 16 years old. He also expressed remorse, acknowledging that he was attracted to her and apologizing for his actions. The court heard that he had previously been convicted of a minor motoring offence, but this was his first offence related to sexual misconduct.

His conduct left the young girl feeling anxious and frightened for years afterward, significantly impacting her interest in music and drama. Her statement to the court detailed her ongoing emotional distress caused by Ryan’s actions.

In court proceedings held at Warrington Magistrates Court, Ryan was handed a 10-year notification requirement and a 23-month prison sentence, which was suspended for the same period. The judge, Francis Comerford, emphasized the seriousness of his actions and ordered Ryan to register as a sex offender at Warrington Police Station within three days. Ryan, who was working at an NHS vaccination centre as of late last year, represented himself during the hearing and expressed his understanding of the court’s decision. The magistrates also mandated that he sign the offenders’ register, and he responded respectfully, saying, “I fully understand, thank you very much.”