Man jailed for child sexual abuse and filming minor without consent

Joshua Risdale, a 33-year-old man, has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual crimes involving a minor. Risdale was aware of the girl’s age, which was 13, yet engaged in illicit sexual activities with her. His contact was initiated via Facebook Messenger, resulting in a sexual relationship. This relationship was eventually exposed when Risdale supplied the girl with drugs and alcohol at a social gathering before taking her to a bedroom, where he recorded himself engaging in sexual acts. The video was later sent to the girl, who was intoxicated and unable to clearly remember the events. Risdale also threatened to release the footage unless she agreed to date or marry him. He admitted to charges including sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, taking indecent images of a child, and sharing such images. On November 29, the case was heard at Peterborough Crown Court, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The investigation was led by DC Annie Fenton, who described Risdale’s behavior as “despicable” and emphasized that the sentence should reflect the gravity of his actions, which have caused profound psychological harm to the victim.