Council leader says 'thoughts are with victims' of ex Peterborough councillor Rylan Ray after his conviction for rape and child sex offences
Political leaders in Peterborough have spoken of their shock after a former city councillor was convicted of rape and child sex offences.
Rylan Ray was found guilty of 23 offences – including rape and sexual assault – at a trial at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday (October 29). He had previously pleaded guilty to five other offences.
Ray was elected to represent the Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward as a member of the Conservative group in 2022. He lost his seat on the council at the May 2026 as a result of not standing for re-election.
He had been suspended by the Conservative Party in November last year after he was charged.
On Thursday, leader of the Conservative Party in Peterborough cllr Wayne Fitzgerald said the party had followed all protocols and procedures following Ray’s arrest and charge, and said he would not be considering his position as leader of the party.
You can read his statement here: Peterborough Conservative Party leader reacts as former Tory councillor is convicted of rape and child sex offences
Now, cllr Shabina Qayyum, leader of the Labour Party in the city and Peterborough City Council has said her thoughts are with the victims of Ray’s offending.
She said: “I am deeply concerned that former Conservative Councillor Rylan Ray has been found guilty of 23 charges, including sexual crimes against children and rape. At this immediate moment, my priority and thoughts are with all the victims and their families. The impact of these crimes will no doubt have a lasting effect on the families and their children who have suffered immensely throughout the duration of this trial.
"It’s disappointing to see Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Fitzgerald’s statement showing no remorse on behalf of one of his ex councillors who he proposed in 2025 to be his advisor whilst still on bail and sadly offers no apology to the victims, which is simply horrific.
“More will be said once Rylan Ray is sentenced.”
Other politicians in Peterborough have also spoken of their shock following the conviction.
In October, Peterborough City Council voted to make it mandatory for councillors to pass DBS checks.
In a statement on behalf of the Green Party in Peterborough, leader of the group cllr Heather Skibsted said: “The Green group on the council find it truly shocking and appalling to finally hear the verdict on Rylan Ray’s case. It is also terrible for all the victims concerned who have had to suffer and we commend them for their bravery in coming forward for the case.
"We certainly believe that all councillors should have DBS checks as we are working in the public domain in a position of public trust.
"We strongly feel that given the serious nature of the many allegations, Rylan Ray should not have been allowed to continue to function as a councillor or within a political party from the time the allegations were made, and that lessons must be learned from this for the future to safeguard the public.
"All elected councillors also have a corporate parenting responsibility for all children in care in the city, and therefore there should be stronger legislation in place to protect all children and vulnerable adults. This is a really shocking case.”
Cllr Andrew O’Neill, leader of Reform UK on Peterborough City Council said: “ "On behalf of the Reform UK Group Members, we were shocked and appalled to learn of these allegations and now resulting convictions. We hope that the sentence passed reflects the seriousness of these crimes and that the victims receive all the support necessary.
“Our group supported the recent Motion at Full Council for councillors to have enhanced DBS checks. Beyond this, political party local branches may wish to consider improvement in candidate vetting."
Cllr Mark Ormston, who was a fellow councillor of the Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward said: “Following Thursday's verdict at Ipswich Crown Court finding former ward councillor Rylan Ray guilty of multiple sexual offences, including rape, my thoughts are entirely with the victims and their families.
“The bravery and strength these children showed in coming forward to report these atrocious acts and give evidence in court are extraordinary.
“No one. Absolutely no one, but especially, the most vulnerable in our society including children/ young people should ever be subjected to abuse or such a breach of trust, and the harm caused by these crimes will undoubtedly be profound and long-lasting.
“If anyone is or has been affected by this case or needs support, the following services are available:
NSPCC Helpline: Call 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]
Childline: Call 0800 1111
Rape Crisis England & Wales: Call 0808 500 2222 or visit http://rapecrisis.org.uk
“Cambridgeshire Police: Report non-emergency safeguarding concerns online or call 101 (always call 999 in an emergency).”
The leaders of Peterborough First and the Liberal Democrats in Peterborough have been contacted for comment.
What was Rylan Ray found guilty of:
Before his trial began, Ray pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity.
During the trial he admitted a further two offences of making indecent images of children.
He stood trial to face the other charges at Ipswich Crown Court from 5 October, and after 24 days, jurors found him guilty of 23 further offences. The charges for which he will now be sentenced for include:
Rape a man
Engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy
Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
Five counts of causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
Three counts of sexual assault
Three counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
One count of causing or inciting a boy aged to engage in penetrative sexual activity
Three counts of making indecent photos of a child
One count of possess an extreme pornographic image portraying rape
He will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on 8 January.