JOSEPH RIPLEY FROM ROTHERHAM SENTENCED INDEFINITELY FOR BRUTAL STREET SEX ATTACK

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rotherham, a young man known as Joseph Ripley has been sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment following a violent and predatory sexual assault in a public space. The incident, which took place in the town centre, involved the brutal rape of a drunken young man, who was left physically and psychologically scarred by the attack.

During the proceedings at Sheffield Crown Court, the court heard that Ripley, aged 22, subjected his victim to a sustained and at times savage sexual assault. The victim was described as being treated 'like a rag doll,' with Ripley physically manipulating him during the assault. The judge, Roger Keen QC, emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “This is a case where there was the grossest sexual attack in a public place that resulted in not only physical harm but dire psychological damage.”

The judge further detailed the brutality of the attack, noting that Ripley raped the young man twice. On some occasions, the victim was unconscious, unable to resist or even aware of what was happening to him. Ripley's actions were characterized as predatory, with the court highlighting that he was completely unrestrained in his conduct. The court made it clear that the victim neither consented nor enjoyed the assault, emphasizing that he was simply abused without any form of agreement or participation.

Joseph Ripley, who resides on Royds Close Crescent in Thrybergh, initially denied the charges of rape that occurred on April 18. However, he changed his plea to guilty during the trial in September, just minutes before the victim was scheduled to give evidence. The judge pointed out that Ripley's decision to admit guilt came despite full knowledge that the victim was incapable of giving consent or understanding what was happening at the time of the assault.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Keen stated that Ripley still failed to take responsibility for his actions and described him as a genuine danger to other young men. As a result, Ripley was handed an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection. The court also ordered that he cannot be considered for parole for at least four years and that he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to society.