24-year-old Ryan Phillips has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars for committing numerous sex offences against children – including rape – when he was a child himself.
Phillips, previously of Melville Street in Sandown, first appeared in court in May 2024 accused of more than a dozen sexual offences against both boys and girls under the age of 13.
The case was sent up to the Crown Court, where the 24-year-old denied his actions, said to have taken place in Shanklin over a 6-year period between 2011 and 2017. His offending began when he was just 10 years old.
During the abuse, he tried to stop the victims telling anyone by claiming they would get into trouble if they did, and that the abuse should remain ‘our little secret’.
In March, he was found guilty of all 15 offences – including 6x rape and 6x causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity – following a 4-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Yesterday (Thursday), His Honour Judge Melville KC handed down a sentence of 12 years in custody. Judge Melville commented on the ‘disastrous effect’ the offences had on the victims, and that they may never recover.
Phillips has been made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is now a Registered Sex Offender.
Detective Sergeant Iain Robertson, from the Isle of Wight Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) team, has said:
“Reporting abuse of this nature takes an incredible amount of courage, and all of the victims in this case have shown that throughout this investigation and the subsequent court process.
“The abuse they suffered at the hands of Phillips was horrific, and through their collective bravery they have ensured he has been brought to justice.
“Rape and other sexual offences, particularly those involving children, have a devastating and long lasting impact on victims, and it can often take years for those affected to find the confidence to speak up about it.
“Offences of this nature can also be some of the most harrowing and complex for police to investigate, but this case demonstrates that justice can still be secured even years after a crime has been committed.
“I hope the outcome of this investigation can give confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, we will take action and we will do everything in our power to target those responsible.”
Is that all he got? He took away those children’s innocence, their lives will never be the same.
He should have been locked up and the key thrown away, disgusting thing!!
If he started at 10 years old, it’s no excuse but what was he exposed to at that age to turn him into what he became. There is mention of his upbringing.
Should be medically castrated..be out in half will always forever be a threat to children bet his family hate the prick i would.
he’s got a face you really want to punch hard.I’m sure he will have fun in prison.