RYAN KEMP FROM THORNABY SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND BREACHES OF SEX OFFENDER ORDER IN TEESSIDE
In July 2019, Ryan Kemp, an 18-year-old resident of Thornaby, found himself at the centre of a serious criminal case involving the possession of illegal images and violations of court-imposed restrictions designed to protect minors.Kemp, described as a vulnerable and socially isolated young man, was initially brought to court after police discovered that he had downloaded and possessed child abuse images on his devices.
His first encounter with the law occurred when he was just 17 years old, after authorities uncovered 13 illegal images depicting children.
Kemp admitted that he had received these indecent and prohibited photographs through social media, specifically while exploring the Instagram platform.
The images included photographs of young boys, some as young as three or four, and were classified as ten indecent images along with three computer-generated images, according to prosecutor Harry Hadfield.
Following his initial conviction, Kemp was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in February to eight months in detention, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), which restricted his contact with minors.
Despite these restrictions, Kemp breached the order within a few months, prompting further legal action.
A probation officer, during a routine review of his phone, observed that several messages had been deleted, and part of a conversation was missing.
One message, in particular, inquired whether the recipient was 'back at school.' It was established that Kemp had been in contact with a young boy via social media and had even met up with him in person.
However, he was not accused of any inappropriate conduct during their meeting.
The court was informed that the mere association with the boy was enough to violate the terms of the SHPO, especially since the boy’s father was unaware of Kemp’s criminal record.
Kemp, who was then without a fixed address but previously resided on Holbeck Walk in Thornaby, admitted to two breaches of the court order.
During the hearing, Kemp expressed remorse, stating, “I didn’t really think,” as he explained his breaches to a probation officer.
Judge Howard Crowson addressed Kemp’s prior cautions, including an earlier incident involving an exchange of images with a 12-year-old boy.
The judge emphasized the importance of the court’s restrictions, noting that they were intended to monitor and reduce risks to minors, particularly young boys.
Despite knowing the age of the boy he contacted, Kemp persisted in maintaining contact, which the judge described as a deliberate and persistent breach.
Judge Crowson sentenced Kemp to 20 months in a young offenders’ institution, warning that continued offending would result in longer sentences.
Kemp was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.
The court’s decision underscored the seriousness of his violations and the potential danger posed by his actions.
Earlier, in March 2019, Kemp’s case was brought to light when police responded to reports of him receiving child abuse images while exploring Instagram.
The authorities seized three devices, including a tablet and a phone, which contained 13 illegal images of children.
Prosecutor Harry Hadfield detailed that these images included both indecent photographs of pre-pubescent boys and computer-generated images, with victims as young as three or four years old.
Kemp admitted to setting up an Instagram account in 2017 and acknowledged that he received images from other users, claiming they were sent by adult men with children involved in sexual acts.
At that time, Kemp was described as a vulnerable, lonely individual who was still exploring his identity and sexuality.
His defense lawyer, Jeff Taylor, highlighted that Kemp had no prior criminal record and had been engaging in therapeutic sessions with Barnardo’s to address his issues.
Taylor emphasized that Kemp had been open with his family and was receiving support as he navigated his personal development, suggesting that he was not sharing these images or actively involved in a network of offenders.
Judge Sean Morris, presiding over the case, acknowledged Kemp’s personal struggles, including his social isolation and emotional conflicts.
The judge noted that Kemp’s online activities led to the receipt of illegal images, and he expressed appreciation for Kemp’s early admission of guilt and honesty in disclosing his problems to his family.
While recognizing that the offenses crossed the custodial threshold, the judge also considered Kemp’s youth and the progress he was making through support programs.
Kemp was sentenced to eight months in detention, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including 30 days of rehabilitation activities and participation in a treatment program.
He was also ordered to comply with a five-year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, reflecting the court’s concern for public safety and the need for ongoing monitoring.
