Understand
Cambridgeshire Army Cadets leader told police his chats with children were unwise
Overview
An Army Cadets instructor and former Peterborough councillor, Rylan Ray, is on trial at Ipswich Crown Court facing 25 charges, including sexual communication with a child and making indecent images of children. The court heard that Ray admitted through a solicitor's statement that some of his conversations were 'unwise' for his position, though he denied they were sexually motivated or that he made unsolicited requests for sexual photos. The prosecution stated that indecent images of boys, including Category A images, were found on seized devices. The trial continues.
Key points
- Rylan Ray, a 26-year-old Army Cadets instructor and former councillor, is on trial at Ipswich Crown Court facing 25 offences, which he denies.
- A statement read in court from Ray's solicitor accepted that he may have been involved in conversations that were 'unwise' in his position, but denied sexual motivation.
- The national head of cadet safeguarding stated that adult volunteers having personal contact with cadets is not permitted and is likely to be considered grooming.
- Police seized four mobile phones and a laptop, finding indecent images of boys, including Category A classifications.
- The alleged offending spans a six-year period and involves 11 male complainants.