On Sunday, 31 August 2024, Daniel Ryan, a 38-year-old man from Goldhanger Cross in Basildon, Essex, committed a shocking rape against an unconscious woman in broad daylight on Bonnygate, a public street in the town.
The incident was captured on a Ring doorbell camera owned by a member of the public, providing clear evidence of the assault. Prosecutor Harry Hewett described the footage during a bail hearing in September 2024, stating: "The member of the public who owns the doorbell sees the complainant unconscious on the floor in the nearby area and the defendant on top of her. She remains motionless throughout. He gets up and walks away, comes back and paces up and down and then, a short while later, he is laying on top of her." Hewett further noted that Ryan appeared to have his trousers pulled halfway down, with the victim's trousers also partially down, and that additional sexual acts were performed while she remained motionless.
Police were called to the scene around 4pm that day, leading to Ryan's immediate arrest. An ambulance was summoned, and the victim was transported to Basildon Hospital, where she regained consciousness. When questioned by officers, Ryan claimed he had been "helping her as she was unwell" and falsely asserted that he believed she had consented to sexual intercourse.
Ryan's case came before Basildon Crown Court on Friday, 25 October 2024, where he pleaded guilty to a single count of rape. Prior to the plea, reporting restrictions had been in place to avoid prejudicing a potential trial, but these were lifted following his admission of guilt. During the hearing, defence barrister Simone Newton informed Judge Richard Conley that Ryan suffers from schizophrenia, prompting the court to order a psychiatric evaluation. Additionally, an investigation by the probation service was mandated to assess Ryan's level of dangerousness.
Judge Conley commended Ryan's guilty plea as a "sensible decision" in light of the strong evidence, including the doorbell footage, and indicated that he would receive a 25% reduction in his sentence as credit for the early plea. Sentencing is scheduled for January 2025, and Ryan will remain in custody until then. The Crown Prosecution Service had previously opposed his bail application, citing the risk of further offences and potential witness interference.
This case, reported exclusively by Charles Thomson for the Echo, underscores the brazen nature of the attack in a public area during daylight hours, highlighting ongoing concerns about street safety in Essex.