In April of the previous year, the primary school-aged girl requested her mother for a pound to visit the shop.
After her failure to return home, the distressed mother dispatched others to search for daughter; they saw her emerging from the woods, hand in hand with 22-year-old Ryan Sutton.
Ryan Sutton requested his brother to take him for two hours from his residence on Astwood Road, Worcester, to Finedon, but did not disclose that he was seeing the young girl he had spent three weeks grooming on Roblox and Snapchat.
Ryan Sutton appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, December 19) to receive sentencing for five offences against the girl, including rape, meeting a child after grooming, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual correspondence with a minor.
Prosecutor Henry James stated, “This case is poised to haunt the nightmares of any parent with a child who possesses a mobile phone.”
The court was informed that Ryan Sutton had dispatched a Snapchat friend request to her in early April of the previous year, claiming to be 17 years old. He promptly expressed his love for her and subsequently initiated the exchange of sexually explicit messages and images, urging her to reciprocate.
The court was informed that she first claimed to the defendant that she was 15, however it was evident to all that she did not appear to be 15 in the photographs.
Three weeks later, the girl requested a pound from her mother to visit the shop; but, when she had not returned after 45 minutes, her mother called her, and she stated that she was playing on the swings.
Several hours later, she attempted to call her again, but her phone was turned off. Others ventured out to search for her, and she was observed emerging from the bushes while clasping hands with the man.
Ryan Sutton fled, leaving behind a bag that contained a box of condoms.
Police later found the girl’s DNA on his body, and found his DNA on her clothing.
Sickeningly, in interview, Ryan Sutton suggested police that the incident was ‘instigated’ by the girl and said that he was ‘stoned’ on the day it happened.
A victim impact statement by the girl’s mother read in court said that her daughter’s mental health seriously deteriorated since the incident and said she had been unable to talk about it to anyone. She said that the girl struggled to sleep properly and woke lots in the night.
“This is my worst nightmare,” she said.
“I am riddled with guilt. I feel like it’s my fault.”
Ryan Sutton, who wore an orange t-shirt and looked at the ground for most of the hearing, was accompanied by a support worker in the dock. His parents and brother were also in court.
Mitigating, Daniel Green, said that Ryan Sutton had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had no previous convictions. He said his client had ADHD and that he had been seriously affected by a previous head injury he suffered during a car accident.
Sentencing, His Honour Judge David Herbert KC said that Sutton had told the girl not to tell anyone what was going on.
“The effect on the girl has been significant,’ he said.
He said that the starting point in his sentencing guidelines was ten years, but he reduced it to six years because of the mitigation and Sutton’s guilty plea. He also gave him an extended licence period of a year.
It means Ryan Sutton will be eligible for release after serving four years in prison. He will have to go before the parole board before he can be released.
An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also made by the court.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.