On the morning of 4 July 2024, Gary Ridler, a 42-year-old man from Swalwell, Gateshead, carried out a brutal assault on a woman in her own home following an argument. Ridler had accused her of messaging other men and followed her after she left his address. Despite police intervention earlier that day, where officers escorted the woman home and Ridler to his mother's address, he soon arrived uninvited at her residence and barged his way inside.
The attack lasted over three hours and involved a series of horrific acts of violence. Ridler repeatedly strangled the woman, stamped on her ribs, struck her with an ironing board, and pulled her back by her hair or arm whenever she attempted to escape. At one point, he restrained her face down on the living room floor, causing her to lose consciousness multiple times. The woman was left convinced she was going to die during the ordeal. A third party had alerted police to Ridler's aggressive behaviour prior to the incident, highlighting the escalating danger.
The victim suffered extensive injuries, including seven broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a jaw fractured in two places, loss of five teeth, and bruises covering her body from head to toe. Clumps of her hair were found scattered around the home. Months later, she remains unable to eat solid food, work, or return to her home, profoundly impacting her daily life.
- Ridler admitted to a Section 18 wounding with intent charge at Newcastle Crown Court.
- Judge Recorder Richard Stubbs sentenced him to seven years and two months in prison on a date in late September or early October 2024, as reported by Chronicle Live on 1 October 2024.
- He must serve two-thirds of the sentence, equating to four years and eight months, before potential release.
- A restraining order was imposed, preventing contact with the victim.
During the sentencing, Recorder Stubbs described the attack as prolonged and intensified when the victim screamed or tried to quieten. He noted aggravating factors such as the victim's vulnerability in her own home, the serious and lasting nature of her injuries, and Ridler's criminal history. Ridler has ten prior convictions from 15 offences, including sexual assault and stalking causing fear of violence. Notably, he was on licence for the stalking offence at the time, which involved threats to harm his ex-partner's dog and decapitate her after she ended the relationship upon learning he was a sex offender.
Prosecution barrister Shada Mellor read the victim's personal impact statement, in which she stated: 'I believed I was going to die due to the seriousness of the attack.' She further detailed: 'I suffered seven broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a jaw broken in two places and I was covered head to toe in bruises. Even months later I can't eat the food I enjoy. I can't eat solid food. Ridler has taken that away from me.' Defending barrister Josh Normanton acknowledged the horror of the case, stating: 'Who can do anything but recoil in horror at the pictures that we have seen in this case? The defendant deserves and understands he will receive a lengthy prison sentence as a result of what happened.' He mentioned mitigating factors including Ridler's difficult childhood, experiences of violence, anxiety, depression, and his role as a cleaner in prison.
The case was handled by Northumbria Police, with proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court. This incident underscores Ridler's pattern of violent behaviour, particularly given his history as a convicted sex offender.