Rapist who filmed abuse of toddler jailed.

Southport Man Jailed for 17 Years for Child Sex Offenses

A 29-year-old man from Southport, Ryan Hawkins, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for raping a toddler and sexually assaulting another child.

Hawkins was identified by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as the user "bigladuk6" who had been engaging in online conversations about child sexual abuse with other paedophiles. In September 2021, he shared a graphic sexual image of a baby and revealed plans to abuse a young girl the following week.

Hawkins was arrested by NCA officers eight days later and his phone was seized. Two identical videos of Hawkins raping a female toddler, along with four graphic sexual images of a baby, were found on the device. During questioning, he admitted to sexually abusing the toddler on two separate occasions and to sexually assaulting a young boy.

Hawkins was charged with the rape and assault of a girl under 13, sexual assault of a male under 13, two counts of making indecent images of a child (IIOC) and one count of distributing IIOC. He pleaded guilty to all charges on November 16, 2021, at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced on December 17, 2021, at the same court.

NCA operations manager Phil Eccles stated: "Ryan Hawkins' crimes are absolutely horrific. The fact he openly discussed the abuse with strangers on the internet shows his callous nature and the fact he had no regard for the profound impact this would have on his victims. He is an example of the highest risk and most dangerous sexual offenders targeted by the NCA and it is only right he is behind bars where he no longer poses a threat to children."