Bootle man sentenced to 12 years for sexual offences

We are welcoming the sentencing of a Bootle man to 12 years in prison in relation to sexual offences against a woman between 2023 and 2024.
 
Ryan McDonnell, 27, of Olivia Street was found guilty last month and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday 20 October.
 
McDonnell was found guilty of:
Four counts of rape
One count of Section 47 Assault occasioning ABH
Two counts of Intentional strangulation
One count of Controlling/coercive behaviour
One count of Sexual assault

Detective Constable Benjamin Kelly from Sefton Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit (PVPU), the officer in charge of the case, said: “McDonnell is a violent and manipulative offender who will now serve a significant prison sentence, which we hope provides the victim some sense of justice having been done and help in her recovery.

“After subjecting his victim to violence, abuse and coercive control, McDonnell put her through the added trauma of a trial, a despicable denial of his abhorrent crimes.

“Specialist rape investigators have supported her from when the initial report was received, through to today’s outcome at court. These investigations are conducted diligently with thorough care, and it's reassuring to see McDonnell held accountable in court. 

“I hope this sentencing helps others come forward and shows what will happen to their perpetrators, and the support that victims receive during what we know is a traumatic process.

“If you, or anyone you know, has been subject to sexual offences, there are different ways you can come forward, so please take a moment to read the information below, and be assured that your report will be treated with sensitivity and compassion.”

To report a sexual offence, you can call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
 
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you 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.
 
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police.
 
With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.
 
Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from 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.
 
If you do not require immediate police assistance, then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here:
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/ 
 
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside 

Read more about our Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) campaign to put the voices of women and girls at the heart of our work to tackle VAWG. You can find out more about the campaign here: www.merseyside.police.uk/vawg.