Ricki Hughes: Stag Do Prank Gone Wrong Leads to Reduced Sentence

Ricki Hughes, a father from Runcorn, has had his initial jail sentence reduced after a prank involving a sex toy at a Go Outdoors store led to criminal charges. What started as a stag do joke escalated when Hughes attempted to return footwear while presenting the staff member, Louise Riley, with a shoe box containing a pair of shoes and a sex toy, declaring, "It's just banter."

The incident, which occurred on 4 January 2025, resulted in emotional distress for Ms. Riley, who reportedly became "incredibly distressed and tearful" after realizing the nature of Hughes' prank.

On 19 March 2025, Hughes pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting behavior causing harassment, alarm, or distress at Warrington Magistrates' Court. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail, which he sought to appeal in Liverpool Crown Court on 10 April 2025.

Ms. Riley, while attending to Hughes, noticed a second man filming the prank on a mobile device, leading her to feel humiliated and uncomfortable. When she asked Hughes to leave, he continued to insist it was "just a joke" and disrespected her by sniffing the toy in her presence.

The police later identified Hughes through CCTV footage as he reportedly laughed throughout his subsequent interview.

With a criminal record of 30 previous convictions, including drug-related offenses, Hughes' defense lawyer argued that his actions stemmed from a misguided sense of humor, referencing outdated comedic styles. He emphasized that Hughes did not have prior convictions for similar offenses and expressed remorse for upsetting Ms. Riley.

During the appeal, Recorder Carwyn Cox acknowledged the distastefulness of Hughes' behavior, stating, "This incident was clearly distasteful and ill thought through." However, he also noted that the original sentence was overly harsh, reducing the imprisonment to 12 weeks, with Hughes having already served six weeks.

With court costs of £85 and a £154 victim surcharge previously imposed, Hughes displayed gratitude following the sentencing decision.