Child rapist in jail after victim bravely contacted police
ROTHERHAM man Ryan Walker has been jailed for sex offences against a young boy committed years previously.
Walker, aged 36, of Wellcliffe Close, Bramley, admitted two offences of assaulting a boy aged under 13 by touching but had denied two other charges, of raping a boy aged under 13.
He was found guilty of both those offences following a trial.
His victim was abused in the 2000s and 2010s, said South Yorkshire Police, and came forward to report the historic crimes more recently.
An investigation into Walker began in 2021.
He was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court and also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order against the victim.
Det Con Christian Dixon, the officer in charge of this case, praised the victim's courage in reporting the crimes to police.
He said: "From speaking to the victim in this case, I know that the sexual abuse he was subject to had a devastating effect on his mental health.
"I hope that this sentencing gives him some sort of closure after what must have been a harrowing and traumatic ordeal.
"Without his brave testimony, Walker would not have faced any kind of justice and I want to commend him for coming forward and reporting what happened to police.
"These offences were non-recent and I hope this case shows that no matter how long ago the offending happened, we are always ready to listen and to secure justice on your behalf.
"Please remember that it is never too late to report a sexual offence and it doesn’t matter how much time has passed.
"If you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process,” said DC Dixon.
More information on rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences, and how to report those crimes to police, is available via the dedicated section on the South Yorkshire Police website: https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/.
Victims of sexual offences have lifelong anonymity.