RYAN PREECE FROM EBBW VALE CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING POLICE RAID

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Ebbw Vale, Ryan Preece, a 46-year-old supermarket worker, was found to be in possession of a horrifying collection of child abuse material during a police raid conducted last summer. The investigation uncovered that Preece had accumulated over 1,400 indecent images and videos depicting children, some of the most extreme category A content, which included a film of a baby girl being raped.

Details of the case were presented at Cardiff Crown Court, where prosecutor Jeffrey Jones revealed that law enforcement officers, during their search of Preece’s residence on Hughes Avenue, discovered the extensive collection stored across two iPhones and a computer. When questioned about the presence of such material, Preece responded with a dismissive “Dunno,” and admitted that he had viewed similar content online.

Further examination of the devices showed that the images and videos had been stored for a decade, with the collection comprising 552 images and videos classified as Category A, the most severe form of child exploitation material. Additionally, there were 412 images in Category B and 457 in Category C, indicating a wide range of severity and content. The court also heard that Preece had shared at least one Category A image online, highlighting his active distribution of such material.

Ryan Preece, who has previously worked for major supermarket chains such as Tesco and Morrisons, and has held management positions, pleaded guilty to charges of making and distributing indecent images of children. His actions have been described as deeply disturbing, with Judge Jeremy Jenkins expressing his disbelief at how someone could derive perverted pleasure from viewing such images. The judge emphasized that the images had been stored and viewed on Preece’s devices for over ten years, indicating a long-standing and unhealthy sexual interest in children.

As a result of his crimes, Preece was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to participate in a 40-day rehabilitation program and to complete 120 hours of unpaid community service. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for the next decade and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order that will remain in effect until 2027. The court also mandated that Preece pay £420 in prosecution costs and a surcharge, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing threat posed by such criminal behavior.