JULIAN RIDGWAY OF NETHERTON CONVICTED FOR HORSE SEXUAL ABUSE IN WAKEFIELD

Julian Ridgway, a man residing at 131 South Lane in Netherton, Wakefield, has been found guilty of heinous acts involving animal abuse and trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence. The disturbing case came to light after Ridgway was caught engaging in sexual acts with a horse on a local farm, an incident that shocked the community and drew significant legal attention.

During the court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court in December 2016, the jury convicted Ridgway of engaging in sexual intercourse with an animal and of trespassing with the intent to commit a sexual offence. The court heard that Ridgway, born around 1962, has a deeply rooted and uncontrollable sexual interest in horses and ponies, which has been a source of concern for law enforcement and mental health professionals alike.

Following his conviction, Ridgway was sentenced in February 2017 to a ten-year extended prison term. Of this sentence, six years are to be served on license, meaning he is expected to be released and reintegrated into the community no later than February 2023. This extended period of supervision underscores the serious nature of his offences and the perceived ongoing risk he poses.

Ridgway's criminal history includes a previous conviction for attempting to murder a 16-year-old girl in 1990. The incident occurred after the girl caught him in the act of having sex with her pony, an event that further highlights his disturbing pattern of behavior. Court records reveal that Ridgway was jailed after a court heard that he posed a significant threat of violence towards anyone who might discover him engaging in such acts.

At his sentencing, authorities expressed grave concerns about the potential danger Ridgway presents to the public. Probation and psychiatric reports indicated that he remains a substantial risk not only to animals but also to individuals who might challenge or confront him during his deviant activities. The reports emphasized the danger of violence and the difficulty Ridgway has in controlling his impulses.

His arrest in May 2016 was prompted by a couple who observed suspicious behavior from their 13-year-old mare, Honey, on their farm in Netherton. The couple, Louise Lumley and her husband, became alarmed when they noticed Honey acting unusually. They decided to hide in a barn to monitor the situation and saw Ridgway leading the horse into a pen before confronting him. Ridgway fled the scene but was later detained by police. DNA evidence recovered from Honey confirmed his involvement.

Further back in his criminal record, Ridgway was involved in a 1991 incident where jurors learned he had twice choked a teenage girl unconscious to silence her after she discovered him in a compromising situation involving her mare, Ripple. The girl had gone to a field off Denby Dale Road in Wakefield to look for her pony and found Ridgway in a state of undress, washing the mare's backside from a bucket.

In 2011, police executed a search of Ridgway’s residence and uncovered a tape recording titled ‘We Thought It Would Be Good,’ which contained audio of an unidentified man engaging in sexual acts with a horse. This evidence further demonstrated the extent of Ridgway’s disturbing interests.

During his sentencing, Recorder Paul Greaney, QC, expressed his firm belief that Ridgway’s sexual interests in horses and ponies are deeply ingrained and difficult to control. He stated, “There is a very high risk that you will seek to have sex with a horse or pony again in the future,” and warned that Ridgway is likely to resort to violence against anyone who discovers his activities. The judge also noted that Ridgway would have attacked Mrs. Lumley during the 2016 incident if she had been alone.

Recorder Greaney described the case as among the most serious involving sexual acts with animals and emphasized that Ridgway shows no insight or willingness to confront his deviant interests. As part of his sentence, Ridgway is required to serve four years in custody, followed by a six-year extended license period. Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.