Locations
Netherton, Merseyside, L30
Description
A Liverpool man has today, Thursday 8 October, been jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Ryan Theaker, 30, a former Merseyside Police constable, was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault.
The victim was known to the former officer.
Today at Liverpool Crown Court Theaker was sentenced to 11 years in prison with a further five years on extended licence.
As a result of the investigation into the rape and sexual offences, which commenced in August 2024, Theaker’s phone was seized.
It was found that on 4 February 2021 and again on 9 March 2021, whilst serving as a Merseyside Police officer, he had circulated two videos in a WhatsApp group that were ableist in nature and unrelated to the rape and sexual assault investigation.
Theaker resigned from Merseyside Police the day before an accelerated misconduct hearing held in August 2025 when he was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour for Discreditable Conduct, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Equality and Diversity in relation to the ableist WhatsApp messages.
The matter was found proven at the level of Gross Misconduct and it was determined he would have been dismissed if he had still been serving.
Theaker was also added to the College of Policing Barred List.
Following on from this criminal conviction for sexual offences Theaker would also have been dismissed for Gross Misconduct had he still been a serving police officer.
Detective Sergeant Matthew McGuinness said:
"I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the strength and resilience shown by Theaker's victim in coming forward, and the dignity and composure she has shown throughout the lengthy investigation and court case.
"Her victim personal statement shows the ongoing impact Theaker’s offending has had but I hope that today’s sentencing will go some way to helping her to move on with her life.
"I hope that it will also encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward knowing that they will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers.
"We know the public will rightly be shocked that these crimes have been committed by a now former police officer, but I want them to be reassured that Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting anyone who has been subjected to violence, sexual abuse or inappropriate behaviour and bringing their abusers to justice."
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Jaundrill said: "The behaviour for which Theaker has been convicted and sentenced has no place in society, and certainly not within policing.
"I want to be clear that his contemptible behaviour is in no way representative of the attitude or behaviour of officers and staff at Merseyside Police.
"Theaker’s former colleagues, and the force, have all been left shocked and disgusted by his actions and the long-term impact they have had on his victim.
"Having the support of the public is essential for us to police Merseyside effectively and we know the impact that cases such as this can have on public confidence.
"I want our communities to know that we are resolute in our commitment to removing officers and staff who do not adhere to the highest professional standards and behaviour.
"Theaker resigned from the force in 2025 after we were able to bring misconduct proceedings against him following an extensive internal investigation by our Professional Standards Department into offensive videos on his phone. If he had not resigned, he would have been immediately dismissed.
"Clearly we now know this man was not fit to be a police officer, and it is right that he is no longer part of the force.
"As part of our ongoing work we have Call It Out and the Crimestoppers Internal Integrity Line, an internal campaign to encourage colleagues to call out behaviour that does not align with our principles.
"It empowers officers and staff to challenge behaviour in the workplace, as well as providing an avenue to confidentially report behaviour into our Professional Standards Department."