Crossword Genius

Sounds like Ryle Ward is the culprit (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

offender

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'culprit' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for offender that I've seen before include "Delinquent" , "One breaking rule" , "Transgressor, lawbreaker" , "miscreant" , "guilty party" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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