Former councillor on trial for 28 sex offences at Ipswich court

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 13:19 · Archive

A former Peterborough city councillor is on trial at Ipswich Crown Court facing 28 sex offences, which he denies.

A former Peterborough city councillor, Rylan Ray, 25, remained on trial at Ipswich Crown Court this week facing 28 charges. The allegations, which took place while he was a sitting councillor, include rape, sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, sexual communication with a child and making indecent photographs of children. Ray represented Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward before losing his seat earlier this year. He denies the charges.

Other cases heard at the court this week included former Felixstowe teacher Shashank Singhal, 32, who was handed a two-year community order on Friday after being convicted in August of sexually assaulting a child under 13. Recorder Benson imposed a sexual harm prevention order barring Singhal from attending educational establishments, other than his university, for five years. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order and banned from entering Felixstowe. The court heard his student visa renewal has been placed on hold.

Former Bury St Edmunds pub manager Johnathan Halliday, 57, received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to sexual assault. Her Honour Nicola Talbot-Hadleigh said his behaviour was 'unacceptable'. Wine merchant Alexander Nelson-Roberts, 56, was convicted of three counts of exposure following a trial this week.

How it is being reported

• The most serious cases heard at Ipswich Crown Court this weekA former councillor accused of 28 sex offences was amongst those who appeared at Ipswich Crown Court this week.Ipswich Star · 11 Oct, 13:00
• The most serious cases heard at Ipswich Crown Court this weekA former councillor accused of 28 sex offences was amongst those who appeared at Ipswich Crown Court this week.East Anglian Daily Times · 11 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Rylan Ray · Peterborough · Ipswich Crown Court · Shashank Singhal · Felixstowe · Johnathan Halliday · Alexander Nelson-Roberts · Bury St Edmunds

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem