A 26-year-old former Peterborough City councillor and Army Cadets detachment commander has admitted five sexual offences involving a teenage boy, following the lifting of reporting restrictions during an ongoing trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
Rylan Ray, of Westgate, Peterborough, entered guilty pleas to charges involving the sexual exploitation of a male youth. Reporting restrictions previously prevented public disclosure of the admissions until trial judge Judge Wilson varied the order following an application by the BBC.
The prosecution outlined that Ray held positions of authority within the community, acting as a detachment commander within the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force, serving as an elected local councillor on Peterborough City Council, and working within two local educational institutions.
Prosecuting barrister Claire Matthews detailed that Ray exploited a clear power imbalance over the teenage complainant. The court heard Ray transmitted video recordings of explicit sexual acts to the boy, pressured the teenager to expose himself, and coerced him into sending reciprocal indecent recordings. The victim described feeling under immense coercion, stating he felt he had “little or no choice” but to provide the illicit footage.
At earlier hearings on 10 February and subsequent arraignments, Ray pleaded guilty to:
Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
One count of causing a child to watch sexual activity
Two counts of making indecent photographs of a child
Reporting restrictions imposed under Section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 were discharged once the jury was formally informed of the admissions.
Ray remains on trial before an Ipswich Crown Court jury denying 23 further sexual offences. The contested charges include an allegation of rape and three counts of sexual assault, encompassing allegations spanning a six-year period involving 11 separate male complainants, many of whom were recruited or met through the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force.
Giving evidence from the witness box, Ray denied exploiting cadets, claiming that the youths had initiated digital communications with him.
During the trial proceedings, the presiding judge directed the jury to return formal not guilty verdicts on two counts: one of possessing prohibited images of children after the Crown offered no evidence, and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act due to insufficient evidence.
Sentencing for the five admitted offences has been adjourned until the conclusion of the ongoing jury trial regarding the remaining 23 counts.
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.
Admitted convictions:
Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
One count of causing a child to watch sexual activity
Two counts of making indecent photographs of a child
Case status and upcoming measures:
Contesting 23 counts including rape and sexual assault; jury trial ongoing
Acquitted on direction of two counts (prohibited images and causing a child to watch a sexual act)
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 upon sentence
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Full sentencing determination pending jury verdicts
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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