Luke Jack Ridley

A Northallerton man, Luke Jack Ridley, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a girl when he was a teenager. The case, heard at Teesside Crown Court, highlights the courage of the victim in coming forward more than a decade after the assault.

Ridley, now 29, committed the rape several years ago when he was in his teens. The victim was a girl several years younger than him at the time. The offence remained unreported until September 2022, when the victim bravely approached the police. By then, Ridley was already incarcerated at Holme House prison in Stockton, serving an 11-year sentence for a separate incident in which he caused the deaths of two teenagers, George Turner and Mason Pearson.

The fatal car crash occurred on 7 March 2018, just two days after Ridley passed his driving test. He was racing his VW Bora between Carlton Miniott and Busby Stoop near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, when he lost control of the vehicle. For that offence, he was jailed in 2019.

While still behind bars, Ridley was hauled back to Teesside Crown Court last month, where he admitted to two charges of rape. On Friday, 21 March 2024, Judge Richard Clews sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment for the sexual offences. This additional sentence will be served concurrently with his existing term.

Investigating officer DC Quita Readman, from North Yorkshire Police, spoke outside the court about the case. "The victim has been courageous throughout this ordeal. I hope the outcome at court gives her strength as she begins to rebuild her life knowing justice has been served," she said. "As for Ridley, he now has a considerable period of time in prison to reflect on the misery and trauma he has caused for more than a decade. It also proved once again that it is never too late to make a report and seek professional help. We are here for you."

The case was reported by the Darlington and Stockton Times, with details emerging from court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court. North Yorkshire Police led the investigation into the rape charges.