A MAN has been jailed for numerous serious sexual offences against children in Flintshire.

Ryan Russell, of no fixed abode, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (November 26).

The 25-year-old had previously admitted two counts of raping a girl under 13, two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl under 13, four counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 and inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.

He had also admitted making indecent images of children, and possessing an extreme pornographic image portraying intercourse with an animal.

Prosecuting, Myles Wilson said the defendant had sex with the victim on four occasions last year, twice before she turned 13 and twice afterwards. Russell had met the victim on Snapchat. 

The offences, which occurred on each occasion in areas of Flintshire during the early hours, involved unprotected sex – despite the victim asking the defendant to wear protection.

The offences came to light after the victim's mother found her bed empty during the early hours of the morning. She came across the defendant and asked if he'd seen her daughter. Russell denied it, but, suspicious, of him, the victim's mother recorded his vehicle registration plate - which was subsequently used by police to link Russell to the offences. 

Once arrested, the court heard that the special software used to analyse the defendant’s phone found it to have contained over 300 indecent images of children. One of the 200 images in the most serious category involved a toddler, and extreme pornographic images involving a woman and a dog.

The victim's mother read out a victim personal statement in court. She said: "The shock and disbelief that someone could do this to an innocent child has been in our family every day. Since he did what he did, it's changed my daughter's life forever - her innocence has been taken away. 

"I will never forgive you for what you have done to my daughter. My anxiety is unbearable and I'm constantly living in fear." 

Defending, Maria Masselis said that the victim had told the defendant that she was aged 15 – and that her mother said she looked about that age. She said that Russell had an "unsettled" upbringing, and that he has a diagnosis of neurodivergence which makes making relationships with people of his age difficult.

Miss Masselis added that he was of previous good character, having no previous convictions. 

Judge Niclas Parry told Russell: "You showed a total disregard for the welfare safety and dignity of female children, all so you could satisfy your sexual urges."

He sentenced Russell to nine years imprisonment - eight of which will be served in custody, and the remainder supervised licence.

The defendant will be placed on the sexual offender's register indefinitely. Russell will also be made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a restraining order against the victim for an indefinite period. 

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Franklin said: “Although today’s sentence will not take away the harm and distress caused to the victim and her family, I hope it will provide some comfort knowing nobody else can now come to harm.

“I would also like to applaud her for her courage in reporting such serious offences, and for her bravery throughout the investigation.

“I hope this encourages other victims and gives them confidence that North Wales will endeavour to investigate violence against women and girls and bring offenders to justice.”