A 33-year-old man from Yateley has been handed a 27-year extended sentence at Guildford Crown Court after being found guilty of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a young child from the age of five.
Luke Ridley, of Yateley, appeared for sentence on 23 July 2026 following an extensive safeguarding investigation led by Surrey Police.
The prosecution outlined that Ridley engaged in a protracted and harrowing campaign of child sexual abuse. The offending began when the female victim was only five years of age, with Ridley subjecting the child to sexual assaults on a frequent basis, occurring at least twice each week over several years.
In January 2021, at the age of 11, the survivor bravely confided in a family member, disclosing that Ridley had raped her during the first COVID-19 national lockdown. Further disclosures subsequently brought to light the full scale of the repeated sexual assaults inflicted upon her since early childhood.
Surrey Police initiated a major investigation, detaining Ridley and securing multiple formal indictments for child rape and serious sexual assault. Ridley contested the allegations, forcing the young survivor through the criminal trial process.
Following the presentation of evidential submissions and survivor testimony, the Crown Court jury dismissed Ridley’s defence and returned unanimous guilty verdicts on multiple counts of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Passing sentence on 23 July 2026, the Crown Court judge designated Ridley a dangerous sexual offender who posed an acute and enduring risk of serious harm to children. The judge handed down an extended determinate sentence of 27 years, ordering that Ridley serve 22 years in immediate custody before being considered for parole, followed by an extended licence period of five years subject to strict probation supervision in the community.
The court further directed that Ridley remain subject to lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register and placed him permanently on the statutory Barred Lists, prohibiting him from any form of employment or voluntary work involving children or vulnerable groups.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Ridley stood convicted of:
Multiple counts of rape of a child under 13
Multiple counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
27-year extended determinate sentence (22 years’ custody and five years on extended licence)
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Dangerous offender post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
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