Leigh: Prolific sex offender given 20 year sentence

The unwavering dedication to investigating the crimes of a prolific sexual offender by Essex Police detectives has safeguarded women and children.

Ryan Alden was jailed for 14 years at Basildon Crown Court following a meticulous and complex investigation into his offending.

The case started with information that Alden, of Stonehill Road, Leigh, had accessed indecent images of children.

A search warrant was executed in December 2021 and electronic devices were seized. A review of these identified 1000s of indecent images and videos of children and evidence of online offending with children over social media.

Further investigations revealed the 36-year-old had filmed women and children without their consent and had trousers with buttons which had been fitted with a concealed camera.

Officers from our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) had to view thousands of videos and images of children stored on his devices.

Alden was interviewed and while saying no comment to many questions, he did admit to owning the devices and using multiple identities over a prolonged period of time to communicate with children.

The team worked tirelessly to secure the evidence and build a strong case.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised 32 charges:

• Sexual activity with a child
• 10 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity
• Seven counts of sexual communication with a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Three counts of making indecent photographs of children (Cat A: 5,036 videos and 1,678 images. Cat B: 1,947 videos and 1,846. Cat C: 1,637 videos and 16,195 images)
• Three counts of taking indecent photographs of children (Cat A: 104 images. Cat B 107 images. Cat C 363 images)
• Distributing indecent photographs of children
• Possessing a prohibited image of a child (2 videos and 10 images)
• Possessing an extreme pornographic image (113 videos and 69 images)
• Three counts of voyeurism One count of upskirting

When he appeared at Basildon Crown Court in June last year Alden pleaded guilty to all counts and was released on conditional bail.

At the same court on Monday 16 March he was sentenced to 20 years, 14 years in prison and a further six years on licence. He will be on the sex offenders register for life and subject to notifications.

He also received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Guiney said:

This sentence reflects the gravity of Alden’s offending.
He is a danger to children and women both in the digital world and in the community.
He has abused and manipulated vulnerable children over several years.
I want to pay tribute to the brave survivors of his crimes who have spoken to us and helped us protect others from this dangerous predator.
We are committed to keeping everyone safe, whether online or in your community, and I hope this case sends a clear message to perpetrators that there is nowhere to hide in Essex.
I would encourage anyone who feels they have been a victim of this sort of offending to come forward and tell us. You will be supported throughout, and we will thoroughly investigate.

Detective Inspector Emma Portfleet commended the actions of the team who investigated this case saying:

The unwavering dedication in investigating a prolific sexual offender over several years is an example of the impact a dedicated team of officers can have.
There is a real emotional toll when dealing with such heinous crimes, but the team were resolute.
Their meticulous attention to detail, safeguarding, and compassionate support for everyone involved were instrumental in building a strong case.
Det Con Guiney’s dedication exemplifies the team’s commitment to justice and the safety of the community we serve.

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