Kevin Ridler Gloucester Paedophile
Kevin Ridler Gloucester Paedophile

A Paedophile from Gloucester, Kevin Ridler, has been imprisoned for raping and sexually assaulting a teenager two decades ago. The victim delivered a statement to the court expressing that she wept profoundly upon hearing the guilty verdicts, aware that her truth had been acknowledged.

Kevin Ridler, 44, from Twigworth, contested two charges of sexual conduct with a minor and one charge of rape, but was convicted of the offences on 7 February after a trial at Gloucester Crown Court.

The court was informed that the inquiry into Kevin Ridler’s offences commenced in 2021 following the victim’s allegation to Gloucestershire Police regarding her sexual abuse and rape several years prior.

Kevin Ridler reportedly befriended the victim at a nearby community centre, which she frequented often. He was in his twenties, while she was a minor under the age of 16.

Subsequently, after engaging in a game of pool with the victim, he provided her with his phone information, and they commenced communication through text messaging.

They would often convene, during which Kevin Ridler would kiss, touch, and digitally violate the victim. On one occasion, he perpetrated anal rape against the girl at an underpass.

The assaults were reported to the police over 15 years later and investigated by Gloucestershire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual assaults Team (RASSO). Kevin Ridler was subsequently indicted for the charges.

Kevin Ridler refuted the allegations but was convicted by a jury after a trial.

Prior to sentence Kevin Ridler at Gloucester Crown Court on 26 March, His Honour Judge Lawrie KC remarked: “Your previous transgressions are catching up with you.”

“The victim was in her teens. You had knowledge of her at [location] and you took an opportunity, which was to seduce and indulge in sexual contact with her.

“That was part of your immaturity and lack of knowledge of the world, but also you need to appreciate the harm your actions caused – a harm that is enduring. An enduring harm for you too that will mark the rest of your life.”

As well as being jailed for four and a half years, Kevin Ridler was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and handed a restraining order.

Following the sentencing, the case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme; however, this was not upheld by the Attorney General.

In mitigation, Judge Lawrie took into consideration Kevin Ridler’s immaturity at the time of the offences and the effect of the long trial on his mental health.

In a statement read by the victim in court, she described how the abuse and rape she was subjected to by Ridler has impacted her.

She said: “Kevin Ridler ruined my life. He took away any opportunity I had to have a normal life, hit normal milestones, enjoy new relationships, work hard as a teenager and excel in adulthood.

“Nothing about what he did to me was normal. He took away the magic of first kisses, first relationships, those first intimate moments. He took away my innocence and forced me into the adult world at such a young age which affected my development in more ways than merely healthy relationships.

“As an adult I have started to come to terms with what has happened to me. I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and depression for which I have been medicated for. I have gone through countless hours of therapy including cognitive behavioural therapy in an attempt to deal with the trauma that I have been left with as a result of Kevin’s actions.

“I will never understand why he felt as though he had the right to sexually abuse a child in that way and feel no remorse, refusing to accept what he had done so that I was put into yet another traumatic experience because of him.

“When I was told of the verdicts I cried from the depths of my soul, to know I was believed, to know that all of the pain was worth it was indescribable.

“I stand here for my younger self, my current self, and all of the people out there who have never had the courage to tell their story. I stand here for my son, to show him that actions have consequences, to show him right from wrong. I want him to grow up knowing what happened to me, to know that it is never ok to treat people in this way.”

Detective Constable Victoria Bygrave from the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team said: “This case relates to a number of offences that happened almost 20 years ago when the victim was a child.

“Kevin Ridler is a dangerous individual who targeted the victim due to her young age and manipulated her into believing that they were in a relationship when he was an adult aged in his 20s.

“He has protested his innocence throughout the process forcing the victim to relive the traumatic events during the court case. I am thankful to the jury in this case for coming to the right decision in such a relatively short space of time.

“The impact of these offences on the victim have been far reaching and long-lasting. I want to commend her bravery and strength for reporting this offence after such a long time and supporting this investigation throughout the lengthy process.

“She has shown true courage throughout, especially when facing the perpetrator of such impactful offences in court.

“This conviction shows that it doesn’t matter how long ago something happened, the police will investigate any allegations of sexual abuse and support those victims despite the passage of time.

“We will support you, listen to you and help you in any way we can.”

Laura Opie, from the South West Crown Prosecution Service’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit, said: “The victim in this case was groomed and targeted at a young age by Ridler, and the abuse she experienced has had a lasting effect to this day.

“She has shown immense bravery in coming forward to speak about what happened to her and in supporting this prosecution, proceeding with the case through trial.

“The police and Crown Prosecution Service are committed to securing justice for the victims of sexual assault. We want every victim to have the confidence to come forward to report what has happened to them, no matter how long has passed since an alleged offence took place.”

If someone has sexually assaulted you, help is available. Police have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate these type of offences.


If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.