Teen rapist’s sentence adjourned

Anthony Ridsdale, 19, pleaded guilty at an earlier Bradford Crown Court hearing to raping the woman, who cannot be identified, during an attack in June.

But a judge heard today that the CPS had not yet made a final decision about whether he should be charged with other sexual allegations dating back to May.

Prosecutor Gerald Hendron conceded that Ridsdale’s case had been adjourned previously to await the decision, but he said regrettably it had still not been made.

Ridsdale’s barrister Ben Crosland said it was hard to understand how it was that a decision had not been made and he was concerned about when it would end.

Judge Mark Savill said Ridsdale, who is remanded in custody, was a young man who had committed a serious criminal offence and he was entitled to know what was going to happen to him.

The judge confirmed that Ridsdale, of Tennyson Place, would be going to prison for the rape offence and he said he wanted his “immense concern” with the situation to be passed on by Mr Hendron.

Judge Savill said he wanted a decision about any further allegations to be notified to the defence and the court by November 13.

Ridsdale was remanded back into custody until his next court appearance on November 24.