Man who denied raping and sexually abusing a young girl sentenced to 20 years in prison

John Ryan, now 75, formerly of Blackpool and Tamworth in Staffordshire, was sentenced to prison after abusing a young victim for several years.

Ryan denied charges of rape, penetrative assault, sexual assault and inducing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in a sexual act, but was found guilty following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Ryan was arrested following a police investigation that was launched when the brave victim spoke out about her ordeal.

Detective Inspector Andrew Cook, of Lancashire’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “First of all, I would like to commend Ryan’s victim for having the courage to speak out about what she had been through. This must not have been easy and I admire her bravery.”

“John Ryan subjected this young girl to shocking abuse over a number of years in order to satisfy his own depraved sexual desires and I welcome the strong sentences which reflect the seriousness of his offending.

“I hope that the court’s rulings will give others who may have suffered similar abuse the courage to come forward and report the matter to the police, knowing that we will investigate professionally and sensitively, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.”

The sentence imposed on Ryan for rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault and solicitation of a child totals almost 70 years, but he must serve these concurrently, meaning he must serve 20 years of them.