‘Dangerous’ sex pest jailed for having sex with a HORSE after owner caught him in the act
His DNA was recovered from the animal after he committed the horrific crime
A DANGEROUS sexual deviant has been jailed for having sex with a HORSE after his DNA was recovered from the animal.
Julian Ridgeway, 54, was arrested in May last year after the horse's owners hid in a barn and kept watch when they became concerned about their 13-year-old mare's behaviour.
Worried horse owner Louise Lumley watched with her husband in Netherton, West Yorks., as Ridgeway lead their beloved "Honey" into a pen before challenging him.
Ridgeway ran off from the farm and, when questioned, denied being the man involved.
He was then arrested after DNA evidence was recovered from the animal.
A jury convicted Ridgeway of intercourse with an animal and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence after a trial at Leeds Crown Court, West Yorks., in December last year.
The court heard how Ridgeway, from Wakefield had previously attempted to murder a 16-year-old girl in 1990 after she caught him about to have sex with her pony.
Probation and psychiatric reports also stated that Ridgeway poses a significant risk of harm to animals and those who may challenge him while having sex with a horse.
At his trial in 1991, jurors heard Ridgeway twice chocked a teenager unconscious to silence her after she had found him in a "compromising situation" and half naked with her mare Ripple.
He had no trousers or underpants on and appeared to be washing the backside of her pony from a bucket.
In 2011, police searched Ridgeway's home and found a tape recording, entitled "We Thought It Would Be Good", which featured an unknown man having sex with a horse.
Sentencing Ridgeway for a custodial period of four years, Recorder Paul Greaney, QC, said: "I am quite satisfied that you have a deep-seated sexual interest in horses and ponies that you struggle to control, and which you were unable to control in 1990 and 2016.
"There is a very high risk that you will seek to have sex with a horse or pony again in the future.
"You are likely to engage in serious violence against any person who finds you."
Recorder Greaney said he believed Ridgeway would have attacked Mrs Lumley during the incident in May if she had been alone.
Describing his offending, he said: "In my view this case is among the most serious cases of sexual intercourse with an animal.
"You have no intention of confronting or dealing with in any way, your deviant interest in horses. You have absolutely no insight."
Ridgeway must also serve an extended licence period of six years. He was told he must go on the sex offenders' register for life.
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