In January 2026, the Offender Database reported that Ryan Laing, 27, of West Yorkshire, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for engaging in sexual activity with a schoolgirl. Laing, a fairground worker and repeat offender, targeted the child via Snapchat before grooming her into a series of meetings.
The court heard that in September 2024, Laing initiated contact with the victim on social media. The pair went on several walks, eventually settling in a field where Laing began “nudging” the girl. This escalated from “play fighting” to sexual intercourse. While the girl reportedly felt the act was consensual and noted that Laing stopped when asked, the law strictly prohibits sexual activity with a child due to the inability to provide legal consent. The abuse was uncovered after the victim’s mother discovered the messages on her daughter’s phone and contacted West Yorkshire Police.
During his police interview, Laing initially claimed the allegations were “false.” He attempted to manipulate investigators by suggesting the family was targeting him because they knew he was a registered sex offender. The court heard that Laing was then 22 years old when he was first convicted of sexually assaulting another schoolgirl. That conviction led to his placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register, which he had already breached before this latest offence.
His Honour Judge Menary condemned Laing’s actions, noting his history of targeting school-aged girls. Laing pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment, with the requirement to serve at least half in custody before being released on licence.
As a result of this second central conviction for sexual offences against children, Ryan Laing remains on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He is managed under the highest level of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in West Yorkshire. Upon his release, he will be subject to a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and license conditions that permanently ban him from unsupervised contact with children and monitor his use of social media platforms like Snapchat.
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