SERIAL DOMESTIC ABUSER JAILED AGAIN AFTER TERRORISING ANOTHER YOUNG MOTHER
Ryan Alford, aged 28, persuaded Jade Ford that his 2022 conviction for stalking and coercive control was unfounded.However, after his release from prison in 2023, Jade began a relationship with him and soon became the target of his harassment once again.
Reflecting on their initial interactions, Jade explained that Alford’s charm convinced her that his previous partner was simply a 'crazy ex.' It was only when she experienced the relationship first-hand that she realized her partner's claims were true, and that her nearly immediate reality with him reflected the accusations.
Alford had previously served 20 months for abusing Demi Pryor in Ashford, which involved physical and verbal assaults as well as the manipulation of intimate recordings he secretly took.
Both women faced similar patterns of abuse: isolation, phone control, monitoring their details, and emotional manipulation.
In early 2024, Jade described their relationship escalating rapidly, with Alford moving from his home in Arlington into her nearby flat in Ashford.
About a month into their relationship, Jade said he started to call her names, which soon devolved into verbal, physical, and psychological abuse occurring daily.
She described how she constantly had to monitor her speech to avoid provoking him, creating a relentless cycle of fear.
When their shared routines were disrupted, such as school runs taking longer, Alford would often accuse Jade of infidelity.
He frequently kept her phone, which she had to retrieve to check on her diabetic daughter’s health records, highlighting the controlling nature of his behavior.
During a court appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on September 3, Jade, supported by friends, struggled to hold back tears as the prosecution detailed the extent of Alford’s abusive conduct.
Prosecutor Brad Lawlor recounted incidents like Alford throwing food at her, removing friends from her social media accounts, and making threats against her vehicle.
He further explained that Alford believed harm would come to her and her children, chasing her into the bathroom and breaking the door.
Alford engaged in ongoing attempts to isolate her constantly asking who she was with, messaging her friends and family, and even demanding photos of her outings.
At their home, he examined her underwear for evidence of betrayal, leading Jade to feel suicidal.
In a victim impact statement, Jade expressed her understanding of why domestic violence victims contemplate suicide, feeling at serious risk herself believing he might kill her.
Following an incident on Boxing Day last year, where Alford forcibly pushed her face, resulting in a lip injury, she reported him to the police.
He was arrested shortly after.
The judge, Recorder Vivian Walters, sentenced Alford to 35 months in prison and issued a 10-year restraining order.
She highlighted his history of domestic violence as aggravating her sentence.
Alford, who interacted with the court via video link from HMP Elmley, was remanded in custody since January and is expected to be released on licence around autumn next year, a prospect Jade finds distressing.
Earlier this year, Alford admitted to controlling and coercive behaviour from March to December 2024 and to assault causing actual bodily harm.
A charge of intentional strangulation remains on file.
His lawyer, Stacey-Lee Holland, stated that Alford had attempted to improve while incarcerated and was now on enhanced prisoner status, attributing his past issues to neglecting medication for his mental health conditions.
He claims to feel more stable when consistently taking his medication in custody.
Jade shared her concerns about his upcoming release, describing her ongoing anxiety and the difficulty of adjusting to normal life post-abuse.
She noted the change in her daily routine, from constant phone ringing and socializing to fear of his return.
Worried about the potential for further abuse, Jade expressed her fear that he might reoffend.
Demi Pryor, who also suffered abuse from Alford, said she and Jade had become friends after Jade reached out about her own experiences.
Demi confirmed the similarities in their stories, including lies and manipulation, and emphasised her hope that their stories serve as a warning for others to recognise and act against domestic abuse.
