ANDREW RIDLER FROM LITTLE STOKE JAILED FOR SEX ACT IN FRONT OF 13-YEAR-OLDS IN BRISTOL

In August 2009, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Andrew Ridler, a security guard from Bristol, who was convicted of engaging in a sexual act in front of two 13-year-old girls. The incident took place in Bristol, and the court proceedings revealed troubling details about the case.

According to court reports, Ridler, aged 27 and residing on Farley Close in Little Stoke, was involved in an online conversation with the two young girls. During this digital interaction, he was encouraged by the girls to perform a sex act. Acting on their suggestion, Ridler exposed himself on camera. The girls, in turn, captured the image using a screen saver shot and subsequently sent it to their mobile phones, effectively sharing the explicit image.

The situation escalated when one of the girls later confided in her teacher about the incident. She also showed the teacher the explicit image, which prompted immediate action from the authorities. The police were called, and an investigation was launched into Ridler’s conduct.

At Bristol Crown Court, Ridler pleaded guilty to the charge of engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child. During sentencing, Judge Michael Roach addressed the court and emphasized the seriousness of the offense. He stated, “Though it’s been said that the girls encouraged you, I make it plain to you that I don’t regard that encouragement as any form of mitigation. They were 13, you were 27. You were appreciably older. Children of that age need protection from themselves.”

As part of his punishment, Ridler was sentenced to nine months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

Outside the courtroom, a member of Ridler’s family, visibly distressed, sobbed and expressed a harsh opinion about the case, saying, “You should put criminals down, not him.”

Defense lawyer Giles Nelson argued that Ridler had simply responded to the girls’ requests and that he was sexually aroused by the situation. He stated, “Mr. Ridler is not an out-and-out paedophile. He has to deal with why he exposed himself to two young girls.” The case highlights the disturbing nature of online predatory behavior and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and harm.