In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Ryan Mark Griffiths, 24, was jailed for 18 months after being caught by three separate paedophile hunter groups while already on bail for similar offences. On appearing at Swansea Crown Court, the defendant, of Swansea, West Glamorgan, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity. It was reported that Griffiths, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in Swansea, continued to target girls as young as 12 even after his initial arrest and court appearance.
The investigation established the persistent and non-compliant nature of Griffiths’ conduct. South Wales Police reported that the first incident occurred in May 2018, when Griffiths was snared by the group PH Balance after grooming a decoy he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The prosecution reported that despite being arrested and claiming his Facebook account had been “hacked,” Griffiths immediately went back online while on bail to contact further decoys operated by Phoenix Predator Hunters and Elite Predator Interceptors.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Griffiths showed a dangerous lack of deterrence by the legal system. Swansea Crown Court heard that just two days after appearing at a magistrates’ court for his first set of offences, he was already engaging in sexual conversations with another “girl” he believed was only 12. The investigation established that he was eventually arrested for the final time after being confronted at his home by members of the group Dank Dragon Exposure.
Judge Paul Thomas noted that Griffiths had a “disturbing and dangerous” approach toward young girls. For his actions in Swansea, Griffiths was handed an 18-month custodial sentence. The judge noted that the fact Griffiths continued to offend while his previous crimes were being investigated proved he had not learned his lesson and represented an ongoing risk to the community.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in Wales, the status of Ryan Mark Griffiths is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 18 months in prison (Sentenced 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for 10 years.
- SHPO Status: 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order active until 2029.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following a South Wales Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Attempting sexual communication with a child (3 counts); Attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity (3 counts).
- Origin: Swansea, West Glamorgan.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Griffiths is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) at a high level of scrutiny. Due to the nature of his conduct in Swansea, which involved “deliberately” ignoring bail conditions to seek out more victims, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his 10-year SHPO is a critical tool to ensure he is subject to unannounced digital forensic audits and strict internet monitoring to prevent him from using social media or messaging apps to target children.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Griffiths must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of “dishonesty” regarding his social media accounts in West Glamorgan necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to bypass internet filters, contact minors, or fail to disclose his location to the authorities will result in immediate arrest and a return to the prison system.
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