Overview
- Ryan Bird, 24, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced on February 17 to 10 years and six months in prison plus one year on licence.
- The court imposed an indefinite restraining order, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and mandatory placement on the sex offenders register.
- Prosecutors said the assault followed exchanges on Facebook Messenger and Snapchat between Bird and the child.
- Cleveland Police’s child abuse and vulnerable adults team arrested Bird on November 18 and charged him on November 19 after inquiries that included specialist digital forensics.
- Detective Constable Elliot Shute condemned the offending and praised the victim’s bravery, with coverage highlighting local support services for survivors.