PCC statement on Ryan Theaker sentencing
08.10.26 - Merseyside
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell has released a statement following the sentencing of a former police constable today for rape and sexual assault.
Ryan Theaker, 30, was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault and jailed for 11 years with a further five years on extended licence.
Emily Spurrell said: "My thoughts are with the victim, who has shown immense courage and resilience throughout this process. No one should have to endure what she has experienced. Her determination in coming forward has ensured that justice has been done.
"These offences also represent a profound abuse of trust and authority. The people of Merseyside rightly expect the highest standards from those who serve in policing. When that trust is betrayed, there can be no hiding place.
"Cases such as this can have a significant impact on public confidence. That is why it is vital that wrongdoing is thoroughly investigated and those responsible are brought before the courts, regardless of their position, as has been the case with Theaker. The public must be able to trust that those who abuse their position will be identified, removed from policing and held accountable.
"Today is about a woman who has endured an unimaginable ordeal and shown extraordinary strength in seeking justice. Violence against women and girls leaves lasting scars on those affected, and we must never lose sight of that. Every victim-survivor deserves to be heard, supported and treated with dignity, and every perpetrator must be held accountable for the harm they have caused."
Merseyside Police statement
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 setncned 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.
"Members of the public are also encouraged to use the Crimestoppers Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service on 0800 085 0000. This is a national service to support the public to speak up about corruption and abuse by police officers, staff and volunteers. People can report anonymously or confidentially if they are willing to leave their details for the Merseyside Police Anti-Corruption investigation team to ask additional questions."
If you have been a victim of sexual offence or have concerns for someone you know, call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers. In an emergency, always call 999.
Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
If you do not require immediate police assistance, then you can report rape and sexual assault anonymously via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
For more information visit www.merseyside.police.uk/VAWG
Victims can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services.
These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation, court process and beyond.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside
Victim Personal Statement
"I still struggle to understand how he was able to go into work, arrest someone for a crime that was less or the same as what he had done to me and still be proud to wear that uniform. He didn’t deserve to be in the police. He didn’t deserve his nice house. He didn’t deserve his nice new car.
"I always thought when I was younger that monsters were big horrible nasty creatures who weren’t even real. I remember reading a post that said, “even Scooby doo taught us the real monsters were always the people”. That is exactly what he is. A monster. The monster never wins.
"I hope by reporting and bringing this criminal to justice that I have protected a woman from enduring what I have by the hands of him as people like him have no place in society.
"I have been able to do this through the support I have received from my family, friends, investigating officers, supervisors and my counsellor.
"It is true his actions will always impact my life. I’ll always be physically and emotionally damaged. He wasn’t successful in fully breaking me. Of course, I have to rebuild pieces that he did manage to break but those pieces are so much stronger than before. I am not afraid."