Ryan Damant

A Colchester man, Ryan Damant, aged 38, has pleaded guilty to a series of child sex offences after initially denying involvement in grooming activities. The case came to light following an operation by a vigilante group targeting paedophiles, which led to Damant's arrest.

Between September 2024 and April 2025, Damant engaged in online communications with what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, attempting to arrange a meeting. The 'girl' was in fact an online decoy set up by the vigilante group. Damant's interactions included attempts to incite the minor to engage in sexual activity, cause her to watch sexual images, and engage in sexual communication, all targeting a child aged between 13 and 15.

Damant, of Barrack Street in Colchester, first appeared before Colchester Magistrates’ Court last month, where he denied all charges. However, on Tuesday, he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court and changed his pleas, admitting to attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming, attempting to incite a girl between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to cause a child between 13 and 15 to watch an image of sexual activity, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He denied two counts of making indecent images of children, which the judge ordered to lie on file. Damant was released on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on 28 November 2025 at Ipswich Crown Court. The case was reported by the Gazette and Colchester, with senior crime and court reporter Daniel Rees covering the proceedings.

• Damant communicated with the decoy over seven months.
• The vigilante group snared him after he tried to meet the supposed 14-year-old.
• Charges stem from actions between September 2024 and April 2025.