Leslie Ryder was incarcerated in 2005 for abducting a teenage student teacher from the street and sexually assaulting her on the premises of St Michael in the Hamlet Church in Dingle. He was summoned back to Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday, after being apprehended for cultivating cannabis for the third time in six years.
The court was informed that undercover police were patrolling Windfield Green in Garston just after 10:15 AM on January 18 of the previous year when they came across a 41-year-old individual who exhibited a strong odour of cannabis. Leslie Ryder was detained and searched, during which a package of cocaine and an amount of a Class B substance were discovered on his person.
He possessed a phone that exhibited a message stating, “Are you bagging it now?” The addict responded, “No, tomorrow.”
This resulted in a raid on his residence on the same block, during which cannabis was found in a shoebox, a gift bag, a plastic container, and two boxes. A set of scales was additionally retrieved from within.
The cache weighed 414.37 grammes and has an estimated street value of up to 6,215. Leslie Ryder had circumvented an electrical meter while establishing the grow operation.
Following his apprehension, he asserted that he did not engage in drug trafficking and contended that the message originated from his cousin concerning a drill. The defendant stated that he cultivated the cannabis for personal consumption, having been “heavily reliant on it since the age of 12.”
However, Leslie Ryder has now completely ceased usage. No cultivation was discovered within the flat; yet, the compounds identified corresponded to an estimated yield of around seven plants.
Leslie Ryder possesses 14 prior convictions for 34 crimes, originating from 1996, which include two for cannabis cultivation in April 2015 and May 2021. He was incarcerated for seven years in the mid-2000s following a conviction for rape.
The 19-year-old victim was ambushed by Ryder, characterised as a “petty thief who lurked for a woman to approach,” while walking home late at night. He menaced the woman with a knife and instructed her, “Do not scream, simply accompany me.”
At the time of the event, his heavily pregnant girlfriend was at home, few weeks from delivering their kid, and he subsequently fled to her flat. However, he was apprehended after DNA evidence connected him to the heinous act.
At the age of 24, the sex offender was initially sentenced to four years and four months in prison. However, this was subsequently extended by the Court of Appeal because the sentence was considered “unduly lenient”.
During the appeal, Lord Justice Gauge stated: “This was a grave offence of rape occurring during a late-night assault.” Ryder menaced the woman with a knife and subjected her to actions that the trial judge characterised as sexual indignities.
She ultimately withdrew from her university course due to her distress, which rendered her unable to take her examinations.
Leslie Ryder , currently residing on Strathmore Road in Tuebrook, has been in jail for the past month and appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool. He acknowledged the production and possession of cannabis, as well as possession of cocaine, and received a two-year community order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid labour and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.
During sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon stated: “This is your third appearance before the courts for cannabis production.” You acknowledged cultivating cannabis to address the issue you had at that time.
It is acknowledged that you were cultivating cannabis for personal gain. I acknowledge your previous severe addiction and your current cessation of use despite that history.
You own stable accommodation that you are likely to forfeit if you receive a jail sentence. You now desire to lead a life devoid of criminal crimes.
Your family supports your rehabilitation efforts. You are fortunate to receive their support, considering all you have subjected them to. I urge you to maintain this enthusiasm and persist in achieving positive improvements.
Ryder is required to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation program and remit a victim fee. The forfeiture and destruction of the narcotics and paraphernalia were mandated.
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