A 23-year-old man from Widnes has been sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to 21 child sexual offences, including coercing young girls into sexual activity over the internet.
Ryan Caine, of Deacon Road, Widnes, appeared for sentence on Friday 16 October 2026 following an extensive digital forensic and safeguarding investigation conducted by Cheshire Police.
The prosecution outlined that Caine engaged in sustained online predatory behaviour targeting children. Over digital channels and messaging platforms, Caine established illicit contact with children, initiating sexual communications and sending explicit material.
The offending escalated to Caine compelling young girls to engage in sexual acts remotely and forcing them to view images of sexual activity. Forensic examination of Caine’s digital devices also uncovered repositories of child sexual abuse material that he had downloaded and produced.
Following his arrest and charge by Cheshire Police, Caine admitted the full scope of his criminal conduct, formally entering guilty pleas to all 21 counts on the indictment:
Six counts of causing a girl to engage in sexual activity
Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
Five counts of causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity
Three counts of making indecent images of children
One count of possessing indecent images of children
Passing sentence on 16 October 2026, the Crown Court judge condemned the predatory and manipulative nature of Caine’s digital offending, highlighting the profound psychological trauma inflicted on the young victims. The judge handed Caine an immediate custodial term of five years and four months (64 months) behind bars.
To ensure long-term monitoring and community protection upon his eventual release, the court made Caine subject to an extensive 30-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) containing severe restrictions on internet usage, device ownership, and unsupervised contact with children.
The judge also granted a ten-year restraining order protecting the victims, ordered that Caine comply with lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanently barred him from working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Caine stood convicted of:
Six counts of causing a girl to engage in sexual activity
Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
Five counts of causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity
Three counts of making indecent images of children
One count of possessing indecent images of children
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
Five years and four months’ immediate custody
30-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
Ten-year restraining order
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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