RYAN PHILLIPS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SHANKLIN AND SANDOWN

A man from the Isle of Wight, Ryan Phillips, aged 24 and residing on Melville Street in Sandown, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous crimes involving child sexual abuse. The charges against Phillips include six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, six counts of raping a child, as well as additional offenses such as sexual assault on a child, sexual assault by penetration, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. These criminal acts occurred over a span of several years, specifically between 2011 and 2017, during which Phillips was under the age of 18.

Details of the case reveal that the abuse was initially brought to light in July 2022, prompting a comprehensive investigation by the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT). Throughout the investigation, Phillips attempted to manipulate the victims by warning them that revealing the abuse could lead to trouble for themselves. He insisted that the incidents should remain a secret, repeatedly calling it 'our little secret,' in an effort to silence those affected and prevent them from speaking out.

Despite Phillips' denial of all charges, a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found him guilty of all 15 counts on March 13. The court subsequently handed down a severe sentence of 12 years in prison. Additionally, Phillips was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at protecting the community from further harm. Judge Melville, presiding over the case, emphasized the devastating impact of Phillips' actions on the victims, stating that the trauma inflicted might have lifelong consequences and that some victims might never fully recover from the abuse.

Detective Sergeant Iain Robertson of the Isle of Wight CAIT praised the bravery of the victims who came forward and highlighted the importance of reporting such crimes, regardless of how much time has passed since the offenses occurred. He expressed hope that the successful prosecution would encourage other victims to seek help and come forward, reinforcing the message that justice can be achieved even years after the abuse took place.

The charges against Phillips detailed a disturbing pattern of abuse involving both girls and boys under the age of 13. These included multiple counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration, and incitement to engage in sexual activity, with incidents spanning from 2011 to 2017. Notably, the offenses took place in Shanklin, a town on the Isle of Wight, where Phillips committed acts of sexual violence against young victims. The specific charges included rapes and assaults on girls between August 2012 and August 2015, as well as incidents involving boys under 13, with some acts occurring as late as 2016 and 2017. The court also heard about Phillips attempting to incite children to engage in sexual acts, including incidents in 2014 and 2015, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Overall, the case underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for robust mechanisms to protect vulnerable children from predators like Ryan Phillips, whose actions have left a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Sandown and Shanklin.