A 30-year-old former Merseyside Police constable who raped and sexually assaulted a woman known to him has been handed a 16-year extended sentence.
Ryan Theaker, 30, of Liverpool, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 8 October 2026 for sentencing after a jury convicted him of rape and multiple sexual assaults following an extensive inquiry by detectives.
The court heard that the investigation into Theaker commenced in August 2024 following allegations of serious sexual offences against a victim known to him. As part of the criminal inquiries, detectives seized Theaker’s mobile phone for digital forensic examination. Specialists uncovered that on 4 February 2021 and 9 March 2021, while actively serving as a police constable, Theaker had circulated two offensive, ableist videos within a private WhatsApp group.
In August 2025, Theaker resigned from Merseyside Police the day before a scheduled accelerated misconduct hearing. The disciplinary panel found gross misconduct proven across professional standards covering Discreditable Conduct, Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Equality and Diversity, ruling he would have been dismissed without notice had he remained in service. He was subsequently placed on the College of Policing barred list. Police confirmed that his criminal convictions for sexual violence independently constituted gross misconduct that would have warranted summary dismissal.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, victims of sexual offences are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity from the moment an allegation is made. It is a criminal offence to publish, broadcast, or disclose any information, name, address, or photograph likely to lead members of the public to identify the victim. These legal restrictions apply unconditionally across all print and broadcast journalism, online news platforms, and social media networks.
Following a contested Crown Court trial, Theaker was convicted of:
One count of rape
Two counts of sexual assault
The presiding judge classified Theaker under statutory dangerousness provisions, imposing an extended sentence of 16 years. This comprises an immediate custodial term of 11 years’ imprisonment alongside an extended licence period of five years. Under statutory sentencing guidelines governing dangerous offenders convicted of serious sexual offences, Theaker will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the 11-year custodial term in prison custody before becoming eligible to apply to the Parole Board for conditional release on licence under probation supervision.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Theaker was made subject to mandatory lifetime notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, alongside protective restraining orders.
Detective Sergeant Matthew McGuinness stated:
“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the strength and resilience shown by Theaker’s victim in coming forward, and the dignity and composure she has shown throughout the lengthy investigation and court case. I hope that it will also encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward knowing that they will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers. We know the public will rightly be shocked that these crimes have been committed by
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the Offender Database Facebook Page. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.