A "dangerous individual" is now behind bars West Mercia Police have said. 

We previously reported Ryan Mountford appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (January 23). 

The 30-year-old of Rundlemead, Mathon, near Malvern, was sentenced for:

 

  • Three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child
  • Three counts of distributing indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of a child

  • Six counts of sexual assault of a male

  • One count of assault of a boy under 13 by touching

  • One count of voyeurism- recording a private act

  • One count of arranging / facilitating the commission of a child sex offence

  • One count of Intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an either-way offence

 

The offences were committed in Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-On-Wye between January 1, 2013 and January 27, 2023.

​Mountford was arrested after an intelligence referral came through from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The referral was developed by the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) who identified Mountford as a suspect. He was charged and remanded into custody the same day.

Malvern Gazette: JAILED: Ryan MountfordJAILED: Ryan Mountford (Image: West Mercia Police)

A comprehensive investigation by OCSET revealed further criminality which led to the identification of a number of victims across the country and led to linked offenders being arrested.

Working closely with the NCA and other police forces in the country, the force was able to protect and safeguard a number of children.

Mountford was jailed for eight years in prison for various sexual offences against adults and children.

He also received a four-year extended sentence on licence, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is to be added to the sex offender for life register upon release.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Nicholson said: “Mountford is a dangerous individual who committed horrendous crimes. I’m pleased that he will now face the consequences for his actions and will rightly be identified as a sex offender for life and spend time in prison.

“This case was a strong team effort with our Digital Forensics Unit, Digital Intelligence and Investigation Unit and OCSET coming together to build a case against Mountford but, more importantly, to identify victims and prevent further harm.”