Doncaster paedophile jailed for aiming gun at police, making an indecent image of a child and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child

James Ridgley, of St Mary’s Road, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday (7 February) charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was also charged with making an indecent image of a child and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. He had pleaded guilty to all charges at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that on Monday 7 November 2022, armed officers were called to a report of a man armed with a gun inside a shop on Rockingham Road, Wheatley.

When armed officers arrived, they were met with Ridgley, who discharged the firearm – a realistic blank-firer - and ran towards them. He had also discharged the firearm several times within the shop before officers arrived.

A police firearm was discharged, and Ridgley suffered an injury that required hospital treatment.

He was released from hospital the same day and brought into police custody.

T/Supt Richard Hammond, who led the investigation, said: “I know this incident caused a lot of concern in the community at the time, and I am pleased that a lengthy custodial sentence has been handed down by the court.”

The incident was referred to the IOPC, and the investigation is now complete. The IOPC will release their findings in due course.

T/Assistant Chief Constable Rick Alton who oversaw the policing response to the events of that day added: “Officers from our firearms support unit came to work on 7 November, leaving their families and loved ones, as they do any other day, saying goodbye and looking to return home later that day.

“What they faced that morning is something they will never forget; an individual who presented a firearm and discharged it towards them. Their training and instinct saw the officers discharge their firearms to protect themselves and members of the public.”

He continued: “Those officers put themselves in front of a man brandishing a firearm, something they train for, but thankfully very rarely have to do. While the officers acted to remove any threat from Ridgley, they immediately went to administer first aid.

“I have seen the officers’ actions and I am humbled to see the effort they went to on that day not just in protecting the public but also in ensuring that Ridgely received the best possible care.”

And concluded: “While it is some comfort that no one died in the incident, the trauma endured by my staff and their families is something they will never forget. I have to place my sincere thanks to the officers involved in this incident on record. They should be proud of their professionalism and the dedication they demonstrate in protecting the people of South Yorkshire.”

Ridgley was jailed for a total of 35 months. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the next ten years.

If you see any criminal activity call 101, or in an emergency 999.