A notorious paedophile in Australia has passed away in prison at the age of 90. Ridsdale had been incarcerated since 1994 after being convicted of child abuse offences in the south and south-west regions of Victoria. His criminal activities came to light when he was first sentenced in 1993 for abusing children within his parish. Overall, he pleaded guilty to numerous charges related to the sexual abuse of 72 children.
In 2022, Ridsdale suffered a fall that left him bed-ridden, leading to recommendations for palliative care. In a court appearance in 2023, a magistrate informed Ridsdale that he would “probably die in custody,” as he extended his sentence by an additional year for the abuse of his 72nd victim. Ridsdale’s legacy is marked by the profound harm he inflicted upon vulnerable children, and his death puts an end to a long history of abuse and legal battles.