A former police officer, Ryan Althorpe, who attempted to engage an alleged rape victim in sexually improper chats and wilful neglect to record her disclosure of a non-recent rape allegation has been found guilty of misconduct.
Ryan Althorpe, 33, a Suffolk Police constable, was also found guilty of failing to record the revelation of a rape allegation.
The perverted crimes occurred in 2020, when Ryan Althorpe was a temporary sergeant stationed in Woodbridge.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how it began on November 16, 2020, when Althorpe received a Facebook post from a lady in her 30s who had reported a rape a year before.
Although the texts started off nice, a jury heard how the tone suddenly changed and Althorpe began sending graphic sexual comments to the victim while addressing the rape claim.
The court heard how Ryan Althorpe regularly asked for video conversations, phone talks, and photo exchanges with the victim.
The last communication was sent on December 3, 2020, and the victim reported the messages to authorities after confiding in someone she knew.
Althorpe was suspended from all police responsibilities in September 2021 when the charges surfaced, and he resigned from his Suffolk Constabulary position in June 2022.
A jury convicted him guilty of both charges of misconduct, and Ryan Althorpe will be sentenced on September 11 at Ipswich Crown Court.
Deputy Chief Constable Rob Jones said: “This was an appalling abuse of trust by Ryan Althorpe – the victim was vulnerable and rightfully reached out to him for help and support because he held a position of trust, which he completely exploited.”
“He shown no regard for the position of power and trust that a police officer holds, and I am ashamed of his conduct because he was a serving officer at the time.
“Public confidence in the police depends on those serving with us demonstrating the highest level of personal standards and professional behaviour and the force will continue to thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal conduct by its employees.”
UPDATE – NOVEMBER 2024
Ryan Althorpe Suffolk Police Jailed
Ryan Althorpe, a Suffolk police officer, has been incarcerated for transmitting “tacky, grubby, and unattractive” communications to an alleged rape victim with the intent of achieving “sexual arousal.”
Ryan Althorpe, 33, of Meadow Crescent, Ipswich, was convicted of two counts of misconduct in a public office following a five-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
From 16 November 2020 to 3 December 2020, he endeavoured to initiate a “sexually inappropriate” dialogue with a female with the intention of pursuing sexual action.
The ex-temporary sergeant, who shown “wilful neglect” in documenting the disclosure of a historical rape allegation, received a 10-month prison sentence in July.
At the time of the incidents, Ryan Althorpe was stationed in Woodbridge with the Safer Neighbourhood Team, following a “pretty impressive rise” through the ranks.
Ryan Althorpe, who earlier entered a plea of not guilty to both charges, had received private information on Facebook regarding an alleged historical rape involving a woman in her 30s.
During a span exceeding two weeks, he transmitted graphic sexual remarks to the woman via private messages on Facebook while addressing the rape claim.
Ryan Althorpe is also said to have repeatedly requested video calls, phone calls and photo exchanges before the victim confided in someone and reported it to the police.
Ryan Althorpe was subsequently suspended from the force in September 2021 before he resigned from his role as a police officer in June 2022.
At Ipswich Crown Court Judge Emma Peters said Ryan Althorpe had ‘exploited’ victim
During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, a statement was read to the court on behalf of the victim by a prosecutor, Adam Norris.
“I was struggling with my mental health, and Ryan Althorpe led me to believe he would help me, but he never helped me and had no intention of helping me,” it read.
“He made me feel very alone and upset, and I felt extremely let down, having opened up about everything to him.
“Reading them unwanted words was disgusting. I felt used, let down, unimportant and extremely low, but all he was interested in was getting his own personal kicks.
“He abused his position in the force and neglected his duty of care, and now I am dealing with pain and upset.”
Defence barrister Miles Bennett said the married father had been a “good police officer”, but the offences had “brought about a spectacular fall”.
He also said, although he had acted in a “tacky, grubby and deeply unattractive” way, his actions had been restricted to explicit messages.
“There were no threats, coercion or harassment and that is a significant and important factor in mitigation,” Mr Bennett added.
Ryan Althorpe was a temporary sergeant based in Woodbridge at the time of the offences
Judge Emma Peters said Ryan Althorpe had “exploited, traumatised and used and abused” the woman so he could become “aroused”.
She said: “She had told you she was a victim of rape and asked her to describe in graphic detail what had happened, while calling her ‘stunning’ and ‘hot’.
“This lady had turned to you, and all you did was to take advantage of her and traumatise her further.”
Ryan Althorpe was sentenced to 10 months for each offence, to be served concurrently.
He will serve at least half of the sentence, and upon release will be placed under supervision for 12 months.
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