Locations
Austral Avenue, Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1
Description
A paedophile who considered himself 'untouchable' has finally been jailed more than 50 years after he began preying on young boys.
Terrence Ryan, now 77, sexually assaulted a young boy in the early 1960s and would go on to abuse three more children until the late 2000s.
The pensioner, from Warrington, came to the attention of police after one of his victims bravely came forward to Northumbria Police, sparking an investigation by the forces safeguarding unit.
Ryan, from the Woolston area of the town, was arrested and denied the allegations.
But he later pleaded guilty to 14 counts of historical child sexual abuse, including sexual touching, engaging in sexual activity with a child, inciting sexual activity with a child and oral rape.
Last Friday, Ryan, of Austral Avenue, Warrington, was jailed for 14 years and eight months at Newcastle Crown Court.
Detective Sergeant Andrea Burns said of the case: "This man thought he was untouchable and continued to abuse young boys for more than 50 years.
My heart goes out to the brave victims who have suffered in silence for so long, and I hope the conviction of Ryan gives them all a sense of solace and closure.
This also sends a really strong message that it is never too late to report sexual abuse to police.
Some of these offences were committed in the early 1960s, yet we have still been able to seek justice for the victims.
No-one deserves to suffer the way these victims have so please, if you have been a victim of abuse, speak out.
We are here to help.