'Danger to young men' caged indefinitely

Joseph Ripley (22) was locked up indefinitely at Sheffield Crown Court for the attack in which he victim was treated "like a rag doll."

Judge Roger Keen QC told him: “This is a case where there was the grossest sexual attack in a public place that resulted in not only physical harm but dire psychological damage.“It was a sustained and at times brutal sexual assault.

"You physically manipulated him, at times like a rag doll.

“You raped him twice, on occasions he was unconscious, unaware of his situation, unable to balance himself.

“This was predatory sexual behaviour in the town centre and you were totally unrestrained.

“Let it be known that this young man neither asked, consented nor took part or enjoyed any of this. He was simply abused by you to the fullest extent.”

Ripley, of Royds Close Crescent in Thrybergh, initially denied the April 18 rape. He only altered his plea at the September trial, minutes before his victim had been due to take the stand.

In mitigation, Miss Laura Marshall described Ripley’s behaviour as entirely out of character and said he had quit drinking since being bailed.

She added: “He accepts that the complainant was in a considerably worse position for alcohol than he. He doesn’t make any attempt to justify what happened on that night. He is remorseful.

“He’s a young man who has never previously found himself before any court or in any police station.

“He is from a very respectable background and is not someone who, on his release, will be left to his own devices and struggle to rebuild his life by himself.”

Miss Marshall submitted a report from a psychologist, who suggested that Ripley did not pose a danger to the public under Criminal Justice Act.

But the judge said: “This was committed by the defendant, in my judgement, in full knowledge of the fact that the victim was incapable of giving consent or knowing what was happening.

“In my judgement he still doesn’t take  responsibility for that which he did. He represents a real danger to young men.”

Ripley, dressed smartly in a suit in court, was given an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection.

He cannot be considered for parole for at least four years and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.