RYAN DAVIES SHOCKS HULME WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND FACEBOOK REVELATIONS

In April 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Ryan Davies, a man from Hulme, who was caught engaging in inappropriate online communications and physical misconduct with a teenage boy. The incident came to light after a concerned mother discovered explicit messages on Facebook that Davies had sent to her 15-year-old son.

According to court reports, the young boy had previously run away from home on two occasions, seeking refuge with Davies, who was then 26 years old and residing on Brackley Avenue in Hulme. During these visits, Davies provided the teenager with expensive gifts and supplied him with cannabis, raising serious concerns about his influence and intentions.

It was the mother’s vigilant checking of her son’s Facebook account that uncovered a series of alarming messages. In these messages, Davies referred to the boy as ‘babes’ and expressed love for him, while also discussing drug use and sexual acts. The content of these messages indicated a clear pattern of grooming and exploitation.

Following these revelations, Davies was arrested and subsequently admitted to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. His sentencing resulted in a prison term of three years and nine months. Prosecutor Philip Curran detailed the timeline, noting that on November 8, the boy’s mother reported him missing to the police. She had observed a significant change in her son’s behavior in the weeks leading up to his disappearance, including the acquisition of expensive clothing and signs of being under the influence of cannabis.

In the immediate aftermath of the boy’s disappearance, his mother checked his Facebook account again and found messages from Davies offering to pick him up. Davies also referred to the boy as ‘baby boy’ and reassured him with the words, ‘as long as I’m here you will never be alone.’

Police visited Davies’ home the following day and located the missing teenager. It was revealed that the boy had previously run away for ten days after stealing £20 from his mother’s purse. During this period, he used Facebook to send pictures to his mother, confirming he was safe. Investigations confirmed that these images had been taken inside Davies’ bedroom.

Further searches of Davies’ computer equipment uncovered explicit images of the boy, along with internet searches related to ‘child abduction’ and ‘restraining orders,’ indicating premeditated intent and grooming behavior. The teenager later told police that he had been introduced to Davies by a female friend and that he had woken up one morning to find Davies performing a sexual act on him. The boy also disclosed that Davies had told him to claim he was 16 if questioned by authorities.

During the court proceedings, Davies’ defense lawyer, Paul Hodgkinson, argued that his client was ‘immature’ and felt remorseful for his actions. He also mentioned that Davies had written a letter to the victim’s mother expressing regret. Hodgkinson emphasized that Davies believed he was over the age of consent when he first met the boy, though this was contradicted by prior police warnings.

It was revealed that in August, Davies had been served with an abduction notice following an incident involving another 15-year-old runaway who had been found staying at his residence. As a result, Davies is now subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which restricts his contact with individuals under 16, and he is required to register as a sex offender for life.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC sentenced Davies, highlighting the profound distress caused to the victim’s family. He condemned Davies for exploiting the boy’s vulnerability, noting the use of cannabis and the ruthless manner in which he manipulated the teenager. The case underscores the serious nature of online grooming and the dangers faced by young people in the digital age.