A former Merseyside Police officer has been found guilty of a series of sexual offences after his victim secretly recorded the attack on her phone.
Ryan Theaker, 30, a former Matrix officer, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration. The charges related to an incident in a hotel room in Liverpool city centre, during which the victim pleaded with him to leave her alone.
The jury heard two audio recordings made by the victim, totalling 85 minutes. The prosecution said the recordings captured Theaker's drunken behaviour and the victim's distressing pleas.
Recordings reveal threats and refusal to stop
During the eight-day trial, prosecutor Gareth Roberts told the jury the recordings showed a "dangerously violent" man. The audio prompted tears in the public gallery, where the victim's family sat throughout the proceedings.
In the recordings, the victim repeatedly told Theaker, a father of one, to "get off me, get off me". Theaker could be heard belching, hiccupping and slurring his words while making demands.
Roberts told the jury: "The defendant [refused] to listen to her, or comply with her wishes." He added: "We hear him threatening her, telling her to move her hands and expose her breasts to him, so that he could photograph her and touch her. It is absolutely clear that she is not consenting."
Victim's bravery praised
Giving evidence from behind a curtain, the victim was asked if she had made up any of the allegations. She replied: "This doesn't benefit me at all. I'm exposing my life. I'm embarrassing myself with what I'm saying. It's [taken] me two years to realise I've got nothing to be embarrassed about. I don't deserve that. I'm still damaged from it."
Detective Sergeant Matthew McGuinness said: "Theaker's behaviour over a number of years was abhorrent. The fact that he is a former police officer and chose to deny the offences and force his victim to endure a trial is even more despicable."
He added: "It is thanks to the bravery of his victim coming forward that we were able to build a successful case against him which led to his prosecution and sentencing. I hope this shows and reassures the public how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone who has been subjected to such violence and sexual abuse."
Sentencing to follow
Judge Brian Cummings KC told Theaker: "From the moment of the guilty verdicts you were liable as a matter of law to register as a sex offender. The precise duration will be decided as part of the sentencing hearing, but almost certainly it will be a lifelong requirement."
The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for 10 hours and 41 minutes. They found Theaker not guilty of two offences and could not reach verdicts on two other allegations. Theaker, of Park Lane in Netherton, was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on October 8.
