PAEDOPHILE PHILIP RIDSDALE JAILED FOR 13 YEARS FOR ABUSING SCHOOLGIRL
A convicted pedophile, who engaged in years of abuse including photographing himself sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, has received a prison sentence exceeding 13 years.According to prosecutor Soheil Khan, the girl was able to end the abuse after confiding in her teachers about Ridsdale’s actions.
The barrister described her as visibly upset, with tears in her eyes.
Authorities detained Ridsdale, aged 54, and discovered explicit images of the girl he had taken, including photographs of him committing sexual offenses against her.
While released under investigation, Ridsdale absconded for several months.
Eventually, police issued a wanted notice, leading to his re-arrest.
Today, he was sentenced to 13½ years in prison, with an additional year on license due to his status as a specifically concerning offender.
He remains on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Furthermore, Ridsdale is subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order that prohibits contact with minors, among other restrictions.
He is also barred from employment involving children or vulnerable adults.
At York Crown Court, Judge Simon Hickey stated to Ridsdale: “You cannot see the harm.
This girl was being assaulted in a painful way.
There was certainly grooming behaviour.” On the day of his trial, when witnesses were preparing to give evidence, Ridsdale, of Bootham Crescent, York, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one of possessing extreme pornography.
He had previously admitted to three charges of voyeurism and creating an indecent image of a child.
Five additional sexual charges were left on the file, meaning they will appear in his criminal record but without conviction.
His lawyer, Taryn Turner, acknowledged his remorse and stated that Ridsdale accepts he has ruined his own life.
She added that he suffers from alcohol dependence, panic disorder, and sleep apnea, describing him as someone battling addiction and mental health issues.
She argued that he was capable of responsible employment.
Responding to the sentence, an NSPCC spokesperson described Ridsdale’s conduct as "utterly appalling" and highlighted the profound emotional and physical trauma inflicted on the girl, praising her bravery for speaking out.