Search results for Plymouth

Description

A registered sex offender from Plymouth is jailed for breaching his court order following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). 

Scott Coombes, age 36, of Beaumont Road in Plymouth appeared before Plymouth Crown Court having pleaded guilty to two breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) - deleting his mobile phone history and attempting sexual communication with a child with the intention of forming an inappropriate relationship. 

Coombes was arrested at his home address by officers from the SWROCU on 17 August after he began chatting online with what he thought was a child under 16 years old. 

Coombes has a history of committing child sex offences and was previously issued with an indefinite SHPO meaning he was subject to specific restrictions to prevent his reoffending. Today (2 October) he was jailed for two years. 

DI Dave Wells from SWROCU said:

"There are serious legal consequences for breaching a SHPO and I am pleased to see the Judge hand down a custodial sentence to him today. 

"My team is across the internet seeking to identify and arrest offenders looking to sexually abuse or exploit children. We are committed to working tirelessly to bring prolific offenders like Coombes to justice.” 

As well as his custodial sentence, Coombes will be on the Sex Offenders' Register and will be ordered to comply with a SHPO indefinitely upon his release. 

Description

A child sex offender has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of a catalogue of recent and non-recent sexual offences in a joint Devon & Cornwall Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation.

John Woodley-Rennie, 39, from Ocean Street, Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentence on Friday 21 August after pleading guilty to 16 charges including:

• Taking an indecent photo of a child 
• Distributing an indecent photograph of a child
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
• Attempted sexual communication with a child
• Making indecent images of children

Woodley-Rennie was first arrested in January 2025 after he travelled within Plymouth to meet with who he believed was a teenage boy. Instead, he was met by officers from SWROCU and arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police launched a further investigation in July 2025 when, following his arrest by SWROCU earlier in the year, Woodley-Rennie attended Charles Cross Station and reported that he had carried out the sexual abuse of a male child in the 2010s in the Plymouth area.

The abuse took place on a numerous occasions over a prolonged period of time and was filmed or photographed by Woodley-Rennie.

Woodley-Rennie told the officers that he carried out and photographed the abuse at the request of a man he had met on Grindr. The man Woodley-Rennie claimed to be acting on behalf of has not yet been identified.

Detective Inspector Dave Wells from SWROCU said:

“Working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police, we have collectively ensured a dangerous sex offender has been taken out of our communities after committing offences which span years. 

“We are committed to working with police forces in our region, nationally and internationally to protect children by ensuring such dangerous individuals are identified and brought to justice.” 

Detective Constable Becca Boulton from Devon & Cornwall Police said:

“We welcome the sentence given to John Woodley-Rennie at Plymouth Crown Court today.

“Woodley-Rennie routinely abused his victim, photographing the abuse.

“The offences took place over many years and no doubt had a considerable psychological impact on the victim.

“I’d like to thank the victim for having the strength to talk about what happened to him and remaining engaged throughout the court process.

“We hope he is able to feel some closure knowing that a dangerous sexual predator has been taken off the streets for some time.”

Description

“People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley, or in a bush with a knife, that will drag you away and force themselves on you… but Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile.”

These are the powerful words of a rape survivor as rapist Muhammad Ans was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, with a further three years to be served on extended licence.

Ans, who resided in Tavistock, was convicted of four counts of rape committed against three women following a 14-day trial at Plymouth Crown Court.

He returned to court for sentence today, Thursday 30 July.

During the trial, the court heard how Ans, 29, met all three women on dating apps between 2023 and 2025.

Ans met the first victim on the dating site Bumble before meeting in-person towards the end of 2023.

Following an initial meeting and meal, he took her back to his accommodation in Coventry where he went on to rape her. After this initial offence, Ans went on to rape the same woman again in a series of events in early 2024.

The court heard how Ans messaged the first woman again in August 2024, and asked to meet up with her. She confronted him about him raping her over a series of messages and he apologised and offered to take her out shopping and to go for meals together. She refused.

Just over a week later, Ans met the second victim via the dating app Baddoo. By this time, Ans had moved and was now living in a flat in Tavistock.

After some initial messaging, Ans collected the second victim in his car and invited her back to his flat where they proceeded to drink some alcohol. The woman made it clear to him that she was not interested in sex, but he went on to rape her.

Messages between them shown at court show that after Ans had dropped the victim home, she had messaged him and challenged him about what did to her. In response to these challenges Ans messaged the victim back apologising to her and stating that he couldn’t stop himself.  

Ans went on to offer to take the victim shopping and claimed that he wanted to get to know her and go to the beach with her. The victim refused and told him that she was going to report him for what he had done to her.

The incident was reported to police that same day, and an investigation was launched by Detective Constable Craig Ferguson as the case officer.

Ans was identified, and his vehicle details established.

A wanted appeal was issued for Ans, and he was located and arrested in Leeds having fled Tavistock after having been challenged by the victim.

In interview, Ans denied the offence but agreed that he had met the victim. He claimed that all sexual contact between them had been consensual and that his admissions in the messages were a confusion on his part despite his clear acknowledgment and apologies.

Ans’ phone was seized from him and submitted for examination. Ans was bailed with conditions not to contact the victim.

In August 2025, another victim was identified by the officer. She disclosed that she had met Ans via Tinder and had gone for a drink with him before going back to her address where he raped her.

Ans was further arrested in relation to this offence and was charged and remanded.

In review of the digital download Ans’ phone data, DC Ferguson discovered the messaging between Ans and the first victim.

The officer then managed to identify and contact the victim who confirmed that she too was victim of rape by Ans. He was then charged with these offences too, and the case for all three victims was joined.

Upon sentencing, the court heard from all three women abused by Ans.

The first victim explained:

“I’m finding it hard to describe the initial impact of Ans’ rape.

“After the violent event occurred, it felt like I had to burn everything that made up the woman I was, so that then it would have happened to her rather than me.

“I rarely slept, and when I did, nightmares accompanied me. My anxiety was through the roof, supplemented by intrusive thoughts, intense nausea, and debilitating panic attacks.

“Ans clearly saw the pain he had inflicted on me and then went on to hurt others in the same way. I truly believe that he is a dangerous and predatory man. No sentence can undo the damage he has caused or the years I will continue to live with the consequences of his actions.”

In a statement, the second victim said:

“When I think about what Ans did to me; him raping me started a chain of events that have led to some of the darkest and most difficult times that I have faced in my life.

“I still feel an intense amount of anger and rage towards him. I had told him ‘NO’, and I had pushed his hands away and pulled my leggings back up. My words meant nothing to him, and I now recognise that he had already decided what was going to happen to me, regardless of whether I consented to it or not.

“People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley, or in a bush with a knife, that will drag you away and force themselves on you… but Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile.

“Regardless of how he portrayed himself to me and others he is nothing but a rapist monster. He is a disgusting human being, and I hate him with every part of me.”

The third victim said:

“In terms of the physical impact, it took me many weeks before I was able to sleep properly again. Even now, I continue to experience nightmares and flashbacks relating to what happened. I became scared to be at home on my own in-case he showed up, my own home felt wrong and unsafe.

“Psychologically, the impact of these events has affected almost every aspect of my life. I have suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks as a result of my experience with Ans.

“The events have significantly affected my ability to trust others, particularly men.

I find it difficult to form new relationships now as a result. As a girl who just wanted her happy ending, I feel I have paid a high price for trying to find it.

“I see Ans as directly responsible for my current symptoms and state of mind.

"If I hadn’t met him and he hadn’t done these things to me, I believe that I would be in a very different position now in my life. I feel that he is a risk to women, and that he used me sexually despite me making my boundaries clear.”

Sentencing, Judge Matthew Turner KC spoke of how each victim was at the time of the offending in a vulnerable position in their lives.

He added that the woman initially found Ans charming, but he preyed upon that to rape them and satisfy his own sexual desires.

Judge Turner said that Ans’ lack of recognition of his criminality was “deeply troubling” adding that there was a complete disconnect between how he viewed his actions and the “single minded pursuit of your own sexual gratification”.

In addition, Ans will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Following conviction, DC Ferguson said:

“I welcome the sentence of Muhammad Ans today.

“In this case all three women were unknown to each other yet their experiences of Ans were all incredibly similar. The evidence clearly showed that he made the same types of comments and offers towards each victim after raping them.

“This included apologising to them, telling them that it was a mistake, and that people make mistakes when first meeting, as well as offers of giving certain victims money and to take them shopping.

“In relation to one of the victims, it was also explained that he had offered to pay her $3,000 in compensation if she would ‘leave it’. This victim refused his offer and had screenshot the messages he had sent, and sent these on as part of her evidence.

“Ans is a sexual predator who targeted these women on dating sites with the sole purpose of meeting up with them for sex. His motivation was clear.

“These women were looking for meaningful relationships, and were not seeking casual sexual encounters, and they made this clear to Ans.

“Despite this Ans created situations where they were each caused to be alone with him, and he then proceeded to rape them, and forced them into depraved sexual acts.

“Ans was driven by his sexual appetite, and the voices of his victims did not matter to him. He chose what was going to happen, and he forced his will onto others.

"Their clear boundaries and lack of consent did not matter to him.

“I want to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the three victims in this case who have each displayed tremendous courage and strength, both in giving their evidence to the police, but also in attending the court to give their evidence in a lengthy trial.

“The trial has been complex process, and the victims have shown patience and resolve in waiting to provide their evidence to the court. This case could not have brought without their support, and I want to thank each of them personally.

“Ans has been found guilty of these heinous crimes and he will now be imprisoned for a lengthy period in custody.

“We remain committed to supporting women and girls who are victims of violence, and those persons who have been the victim of sexual offences. We will listen and will actively seek charges and prosecutions against those responsible for such offending.”

Description

A child sex offender has been sentenced to nine years in prison after grooming and abusing a teenage girl in Cornwall.

Stephen Shill was brought to justice after his victim recognised him in a news article relating to a previous court appearance.

Shill, 63, of Valley View Close in Plymouth, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Thursday 23 July after being found guilty of meeting a girl under 16 following sexual grooming and two sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 charges.

The court heard how the offences took place between 15 and 20 years ago in the Callington area.

The investigation got underway in 2024 when the victim contacted Police after seeing a news article about Shill when he was previously convicted for online sexual offending. 

She immediately recognised Shill as the man who had abused her years before, albeit she had known him by the name Joshua Edwards. Shill had also lied about his age. 

The victim told officers that she was vulnerable at the time, and that Shill used this to his advance, grooming her online and then sexually abusing her.

The abuse carried on for a prolonged period of time.

In interview, Shill admitted knowing the victim but denied any sexual relationship took place.

Detective Constable Emily Rickard said:

“I would like to praise the victim in this case for her enormous strength in reporting what happened to her at the hands of Stephen Shill years before.

“Shill preyed on her vulnerability at the time to facilitate the abuse which had an immense psychological effect on her.

“It is due to her courage in reporting the abuse, and her remaining engaged in the court process that he is finally behind the bars.

“This case goes to show that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A man who raped a child in Plymouth has been jailed for 19 years.

Marc Dannan, 36, of Duke Street, Plymouth, was found guilty at Plymouth Crown Court of rape, sexual assault and sexual activity with a young girl and was sentenced to 19 years in prison, with an additional one year on licence today, Friday 17 July.

Dannan was also given a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a restraining order was imposed for 25 years.

Following a trial at Plymouth Crown Court, that concluded on Friday 5 June, Dannan was found guilty of three charges of rape, two charges of inciting sexual activity and three charges of sexual assault.

The victim was a child and a teenager at the time of the offending which went on over several years.

Detective Constable Michael Evans, who led the investigation, said:

“Marc Dannan, throughout the police investigation and subsequent trial showed no remorse or compassion towards the victim and in police interview, he challenged officers to ‘prove it in court’. The crown obliged him.

“However, rather than centring on the shortcomings of the defendant, I would like to focus on the extraordinary bravery of the victim in this case. She not only gave evidence live from the witness box but did so articulately and with composure.

“She should be rightly proud in not only securing justice for herself but undoubtedly assisting in safeguarding other young females in the future.

“I would also like to thank the jury members for their thoughtful consideration of the evidence, despite the defendant’s careful attempts to conceal the truth. They saw clearly through his lies and the correct verdict was reached.”

Description

A sexual predator has been jailed for 25 years with a further five years on extended licence for the rape and sexual abuse of two adults and three children.

Adam O’Dee, 37, formerly of Plymouth appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentencing on Monday 20 April after being convicted at a trial earlier this year of a total of 17 offences, all of which were committed in Plymouth.

The jury found O’Dee guilty of two rapes of a child under 13, four sexual assaults on a child under 13, two rapes, attempted sexual assault of a child under 13, three sexual assaults by penetration and five further sexual offences.

The first reports against O’Dee were received in 2022 when a young girl disclosed that she had been touched sexually by O’Dee.

This information was passed on to Police and O’Dee was arrested.

A few months later a second child victim then described how she was raped by O’Dee, and he was further arrested.

O’Dee raped and abused the third child victim on numerous occasions.

The offences relating to the first adult victim were reported in early 2025.

The victim described how on a prior occasion she awoke to find O’Dee on top of her raping her.

The final offences (the offences relating to the second adult victim) took place while O’Dee was on court bail after being charged for the child sexual offences.

On the date of the offence O’Dee forced himself upon the victim and committed the assaults.

The victim told her friend the following day, before informing police and attending a forensic examination.

O’Dee denied the offences against all five victims during interview.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Paul Enticknap, said:

“I welcome the sentence given to Adam O’Dee who has committed truly harrowing offences against women and young children.

“He has shown no remorse or accountability and now faces a substantial jail sentence for his appalling behaviour.

“My utmost thanks and praise are with the victims who not only had the courage to report the offences but supported the police investigation and waited patiently to give their evidence in court.

“Their strength and bravery are truly admirable, and I sincerely hope they find closure and start moving forward with their lives following this outcome.

“I would also like to extend my thanks to the family and friends of the victims who have also been deeply affected by O’Dee’s actions. Their support has been essential to achieve this outcome.

“This has been an extremely sensitive and complex investigation. Sexual offences can happen anywhere, at any time and to anyone.

“I hope this outcome will encourage others and give them the confidence to report these types of offending.

“Devon and Cornwall Police and the Crown Prosecution Service will work relentlessly to pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually offend against children and adults.”

Description

A convicted child sex offender has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of two young children.

Steven Stanley Dunn, aged 49 and previously of Southway in Plymouth, previously pleaded guilty to six non-recent child sex offences.

He appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday 25 February.

The court heard how the incidents were committed against two children in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Dunn currently resides in prison after being convicted in 2016 of rape and sexual assault against three children committed in the 2010s. 

He was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison, a term he was serving when the latest proceedings against him were brought.

While in prison, further reports were received and detectives carried out immediate enquiries which lead to Dunn being charged for the additional offences relating to the two children in this case.

In total, he was convicted of two counts of sexual assault, two counts of penetration, one count of indecent assault and one count of rape.

The latest sentence started from when it was passed on Wednesday.

The court heard from the victims who read out their victim impact statements in court.

One of the victims described living ‘in a constant storm of trauma’ and suffering from adverse mental health. She added that Dunn is ‘a coward and a monster’.

The second victim said:

“I have had hours of therapy, taken medication and struggled through school. I have spent years struggling with anxiety and depression. I have days where I am so unbelievably sad that I can't really do anything.”

Police Staff Investigator Aimee Cattell said:

“I want to firstly commend the bravery and courage of the victims who came forward. Reporting incidents such as these is incredibly daunting and I don’t underestimate how hard this must have been.

“Nothing will ever take away what Dunn did to these girls, but I hope that the court outcome today goes someway in helping them move forward with their lives.

“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. No matter the passage of time, you will be listened to and believed. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way.”

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 20 years after using terrifying violence to carry out his attacks.

Peter Gilbert, 54, of Manor Street, Plymouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday 18 February after being found guilty at trial of three counts of rape.

Gilbert was also convicted by a jury of one non-sexual offence, as well as pleading guilty to breach of a court order and disclosing an intimate video with intent to cause distress.

Gilbert must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and a restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.

The offences took place in Newquay, Plymouth and Truro.

The court heard how in June 2022, Gilbert attended Charles Cross Police Station in relation to an unrelated matter.

While in the station he became flustered and started pacing the room before saying to officers that he had carried out a sexual offence.

The victim was spoken to while Gilbert was in custody and stated that Gilbert had raped her on several occasions – including after a night out in Newquay.

The victim described freezing during the attacks and Gilbert making a variety of threats against her.

A further attack took place at the victim’s home, in which Gilbert said he was twice the size of the victim and she had no choice but to do what he wanted.

Gilbert made additional threats of violence, including with weapons and showed footage of an oral rape to others. He carefully filmed the attack to make sure the victim was visible and not him.

Gilbert made no comment in interview.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Carr commented how Gilbert preyed upon his victim and such was the violence he demonstrated towards her, he even stubbed out cigarettes on her arms causing scarring.

Judge Carr added that Gilbert filmed the rapes and used the footage as a weapon.

Detective Sergeant Megan Cornish, said:

“Peter Gilbert is an extremely dangerous rapist and sexual predator who used violence and threats in order to rape his victim.

“Gilbert showed no regard for her wellbeing in his evil pursuit for sexual gratification. 

“I would like to praise the immense courage of the victim, who has remained engaged from when she was first spoken to, right through to the court process.

“It is her bravery that has enabled Gilbert to be brought to justice for his crimes.

“While I do not underestimate the psychological damage caused by Gilbert’s actions, I hope she is now able to feel some form of closure.”

Description

A Plymouth-based former teacher who betrayed his position of trust by sexually abusing two students at the school and sixth form he worked at has been jailed. 

Anthony Redmond, 54, of Fort Austin Avenue in Plymouth, abused one of the victims in a hotel prior to her turning 16.

Redmond was convicted following a trial at Plymouth Crown Court of seven counts of abuse a position of trust by engaging in sexual activity, three of which related to full intercourse, and one count of indecency with a child.

He returned to the court to be sentenced on Tuesday 10 February and was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment. Restraining orders were also put in place to prevent Redmond from contacting the victims.

During the trial, the court heard how Redmond used his status as a teacher and band musician to appeal to, and groom his victims.

He continued to work at Notre Dame School and sixth form in Plymouth until being suspended when the allegations were made.

The first offence relating to the first victim took place in the 2000s when she was aged 15.

The victim reported how geography teacher Redmond took her and a friend to a hotel, and during the night he incited her to engage in sexual activity.

The second incident took place shortly after the victim turned 16 at a party they had both attended.

The initial investigation led to officers getting in touch with a second victim who disclosed a sexual relationship with Redmond while she was a sixth form student at the school.

The second victim – who was 16 when Redmond’s abuse started - spoke of how Redmond would routinely pick her up so they could engage in sexual activity, with abuse taking place at his home, a hotel and inside the school.

The victim’s abuse by Redmond continued while she was at university, however she ended contact when her family became aware.

Later discussion between the victims in the case revealed that they were both being sexually abused by Redmond at around the same time.

Both victims described at the sentencing hearing the long-term psychological effect Redmond’s actions had on them.

At the sentencing hearing Judge Robert Linford described the offending as ‘predatory behaviour’, stating that Redmond betrayed the trust put in him by taking the victims to lunches and luring them into a world in which he could abuse them without them knowing they were being abused.

Judge Linford added that the convictions show others who have behaved in such a way that they may never rest easy, as the day may come where, like Redmond, they will also face justice for their actions.

Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Luke Portch said:

“I want to acknowledge the courage and strength shown by the victims in coming forward.

“Teachers are entrusted with the care, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people, and that trust was gravely abused in this case.

“Speaking about sexual abuse, regardless of when it occurred, is incredibly difficult.  

“Their willingness to report what happened has not only led to justice in this case, but will hopefully help others who have been victims of abuse to come forward.

“The passage of time does not lessen the seriousness of these offences, and this outcome demonstrates that reports of non-recent abuse will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

“If anyone has experienced abuse, whether recently or in the past, I would encourage them to contact the Police. Support is available, and you will be listened to."

Description

A retired Plymouth criminal defence solicitor who sexually assaulted clients at court and in a police station has been jailed for 13 years.

Alan Harris, 72, exploited his professional access as an opportunity to abuse vulnerable young people with complex backgrounds who were desperately dependent on his legal help.

He arrogantly preyed on his victims during private consultations and made them believe that they were powerless to speak out - and that no-one would believe them if they did.

Harris, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, was convicted of 10 sexual offences against seven victims - six male and one female - following a five-week trial at Winchester Crown Court which concluded in early December.

He had denied all the charges.

Harris was today [Wednesday 25 February] sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison at Winchester Crown Court for five sexual assaults and five indecent assaults between 1988 and 2015.

Her Honour Judge Angela Morris told Harris:

There is no greater fall from grace than this.

She said Harris has been a well-respected local solicitor but there was a darker side to his character.

The Judge added Harris had a duty of professional care and responsibility towards vulnerable clients who relied upon and placed their trust in him as their legal advisor.

They were easy targets you were able to exploit for your own sexual gratification, she told him.

The Judge added: You were supposed to be there to help them navigate the criminal justice system, not sexually abuse them in the midst of if.

Judge Morris described Harris offending as a gross breach of trust of the most serious kind.

Senior Investigating Officer Chief Superintendent Roy Linden said:

The sentencing today of Alan Harris shows that nobody is above the law, regardless of their profession or standing.

It was Harris job to represent his clients and ensure they were treated fairly and safely within the criminal justice system.

Instead, he abused his privileged status, his role and the private access afforded to him as an opportunity to sexually assault the victims, making them think nobody would ever believe them.

This has been a protracted and complex investigation involving non-recent sexual offences that date back more than 35 years to the late 1980s.

Alan Harris exploited a position of trust and targeted his victims because of their vulnerabilities, thinking they were powerless to speak out because of their circumstances and their dependence on him professionally.

Today he has been brought to justice due to the tenacity, patience and strength of the victims, and our thoughts remain with them.

The court heard Harris spent his working life as a criminal defence solicitor in Plymouth. He retired in 2016.

The victims were clients of Harris and were all from incredibly traumatic backgrounds who had themselves been charged with or suspected of multiple offences.

Many of them were under the age of 21 and still in their teens when they were abused.

Harris, a defence and duty solicitor, sexually assaulted them during private legal consultations. Their circumstances meant they were powerless to report the abuse at the time.

The majority of the offences took place within the cells at Plymouth Magistrates' Court and in Charles Cross Police Stations custody suite.

Others happened at private homes and in Harris car.

The court heard Harris traded on the victims compromised and vulnerable situation and utter dependence upon him. He used this position to abuse their trust for his own sexual gratification.

Ch Supt Linden added:

All the victims in this case have shown enormous courage in reporting these offences, placing their trust in the criminal justice process and in giving evidence in court.

Devon and Cornwall Police acknowledges that some of Harris offending happened during private legal consultations within the custody suite at Charles Cross Police Station.

It remains a fundamental legal right for a defendant and solicitor to meet and speak in private; it was Harris who exploited this.

As soon as we were made aware of the reports against Harris, we referred these to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and Harris retired shortly after this referral.

Police stations and magistrates courts should be places of safety where criminal offences are dealt with, not facilitated.

It doesnt matter who you are, what your background is or how long ago it happened; if you are a victim of a sexual offence we will listen to you, support you, and investigate what you report to us.

Speaking directly to victims of sexual offences: We would encourage anyone who has been in this situation to come forward, and we will review each case on its own merits to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.

Description

A man who sexually abused a teenage girl in Plymouth has been jailed for 12 years, with an extended licence of two years.

Peter Orme, 34 of York Road, Plymouth, was convicted of nine counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Orme appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 20 October to face sentencing.

During the case, the court heard how Orme had committed numerous sexual offences against one victim on several occasions over the course of several months.

The victim came forward and reported the offences to the police, and an investigation was immediately launched into Orme, who had denied the offences.

During the sentencing, Orme was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Officer in the case, Police Staff Investigator Aimee Cattell of Plymouth’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said:

“We welcome the sentence given to Peter Orme, who abused his position of trust and showed no remorse or accountability for his actions.

“I would like to thank the victim in this case who had the courage to come forward and report these incidents to us. We appreciate how difficult this was.

“We hope this sentence reassures victims of sexual offending that all reports to police will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by our officers.”

Description

A Plymouth man has been jailed for 26 years after sexually assaulting women, including those he lured into his teeth-whitening salon with offers of free treatment.

Ricky Stubberfield, 31, messaged popular young women on Instagram to offer them free treatments in exchange for promoting his business on their platforms.

But when the trusting victims attended his Essex Smiles franchise on Mutley Plain they were instead subjected to lewd remarks and forceful sexual assaults.

Stubberfield, of Walnut Gardens, Plympton, abused three women who answered his social media offer and two other regular female customers at the salon between 2022 and 2024.

However Plymouth Crown Court heard that his sexual offending actually began many years before. He had abused three other females at various locations including at a concert between 2013 and 2022.

During a trial in June, Stubberfield was convicted of 23 offences - eight counts of rape, nine counts of sexual assault, four counts of digital penetration, indecent exposure and making an indecent image of a child.

They were unable to reach a majority verdict on three further charges of rape, digital penetration and sexual assault.

At Plymouth Crown Court today, 21 October, Stubberfield was jailed for 26 years, plus an additional six years in licence. He will also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Stubberfield first came to the attention of police in February 2022 when a 16-year-old girl reported that he had sexually abused her on two occasions that month.

On one night he had raped her in the disabled toilet during a concert at Plymouth Pavilions and later in the back of his van on Plymouth Hoe.

On the second occasion the victim was at a house with a friend and Stubberfield. Throughout the night he carried out a torrent of multiple rapes and other sexual offences against her while telling her to ‘be quiet’.

Some of the offences were captured during a FaceTime call to her friend after Stubberfield brazenly pulled her out of view to sexually assault her and forced her to commit a sexual act upon him.

Unbeknown to Stubberfield his actions were reflected in a nearby cooker hood and seen by the caller who shouted out to stop him. She had also recorded the call and provided this to police.

The court heard that in 2024 a woman reported that she had been abused by Stubberfield at Essex Smiles.

Operation Highrock was then launched by Devon and Cornwall Police’s Project Gemstone, a specialist sexual offences investigation team in Plymouth.

After a third report in 2024, Stubberfield was arrested and charged with multiple offences. A report in the local media prompted other victims to come forward. Some believed they were the only one and Stubberfield’s sexualised behaviour had often been dismissed by those who knew him as it being ‘Just Ricky’.

The investigation uncovered the shocking extent of Stubberfield’s offending. Between 2022 and 2024 he had abused five women, all in their 20s, at the teeth whitening and tanning salon.

Four victims were sexually touched while receiving teeth whitening treatments, three from his social media offers. He also exposed himself to a fifth victim.

In all cases Stubberfield made inappropriate sexual remarks as a precursor and asked details about their sex lives.

Once in the treatment chair with a mouth guard in, he took advantage and sexually assaulted them, asked for photos and made repeated forceful sexual advances. One woman described feeling trapped while another told police she froze in fear of what may happen next.

The fifth woman was accompanied by her toddler when she went to buy a product from the salon. Stubberfield asked her out on a date which she declined. He then showed her a picture of his genitals before pulling down his trousers to expose himself. She left the shop and, unbelievably, he called a few minutes later to ask her out again.

In 2013 Stubberfield sexually assaulted a woman he met on a dating site, forcing himself upon her before she was able to get away.

Another victim encountered Stubberfield in 2021 where he raped her twice before asking her is she ‘fancied a Nando’s’. She described him as always being ‘forceful in his sexual nature’.

In July 2024 he was further arrested while on remand in prison. Stubberfield consistently denied any wrongdoing and on one occasion he even asked interviewing officers if they found one of his victims attractive.

He was charged and found guilty of the 23 offences against eight females during the June trial. His victims were aged between 16 and 27 at the time of the offences – all younger than Stubberfield.

HHJ Judge Linford said to Stubberfield on sentencing: “Your behaviour was utterly remorseless predation.” He described the offending as ‘part of your personality’ which was ‘very worrying’ and stated Stubberfield posed a ‘very high risk of harm’ to the public.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hodges, senior investigating officer, said:

“I welcome the sentence given today to a man who preyed on young women for over a decade.

“My utmost thanks and praise are with the victims who not only had the courage to report the offences, but to support the police investigation and give evidence in court.

“Their strength and bravery is admirable, and I sincerely hope that they may find some closure and be able to start moving forward with their lives following this outcome.

“I also hope it may encourage others and give them the confidence to report crimes and know that they will be taken seriously.

“My thanks also go to the detectives who investigated this incredibly complex case diligently and thoroughly, resulting in a compelling case which resulted in a guilty verdict.”

Description

A 53-year-old Plymouth man, Nicholas Stanyon-Tall, of Kiln Close, was sentenced to 18 years in jail after a jury convicted him at Plymouth Crown Court of four counts of rape against two girls under 16, plus two counts of sexual assault.

The offences occurred in Plymouth over a four-year period in the 2000s. Stanyon-Tall had denied the charges; the victims cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Judge Robert Linford imposed an 18-year sentence with a one-year extended licence for each rape, and five years for each sexual assault, all concurrent. He also received a 30-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, lifelong placement on the Sex Offenders' Register, a 30-year restraining order barring contact with the victims, and lifelong barring from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Lead investigator Det Con Fiona Archer said:

"We welcome the Jury's verdict and the Judge's sentence in this case. The victims now have some justice for the suffering they received as children, and we hope they can begin to move forward with their lives.

"They have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and have been very patient whilst this case has been brought to court. Nicholas Stanyon-Tall subjected the victims to abhorrent sexual abuse on numerous occasions.

"He will now serve a long prison sentence and be subject of continued monitoring once released. We thank all those involved for their part in bringing Nicholas Stanyon-Tall to justice."

Description

A former Olympic swimmer who represented Britain in the 2012 London Games has been jailed for 21 years for raping two teenage girls.

Antony James, of Crownhill was convicted by a jury last October at Plymouth Crown Court of eight charges, including three counts of rape, three of sexual activity with a child, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent photographs of a child, although prosecutors at the court were at pains to explain these were effectively cases of production, as he had urged the two girls - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - to take indecent images of themselves which he then asked to be sent to him.

The jury could not reach a verdict on one count of sexual activity with a child, and five counts of rape and the Crown Prosecution Service did not continue with those charges. The trial judge directed not guilty verdicts for three counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting an offence.

During the opening of the case against James, now 35, prosecutor Lee Bremridge said the former Olympic swimmer met and effectively groomed each of the girls, revealing his "perverse sexual needs and desires".

The jury was told that following James' arrest in 2022 police found evidence of James using the Chaturbate sexual internet site and recovered messages from 2019, where he referenced the name of an underage girl who he later went on to rape.

One of his victims bravely read out a victim impact statement in court, saying that James has "stolen a portion of my life" and left her feeling "vulnerable, weak and trampled".

At his sentencing hearing today, Judge Robert Linford told James he was satisfied that one of his victims took indecent photos of herself at his request and sent them onto him.

He said James had an "entirely nonchalant" attitude towards the allegations when he was interviewed by police, claiming it was "entirely consensual".

He said James had "groomed" the girl and "ruthlessly exploited" their needs for his own ends. He said he left one of his victims feeling ashamed of her own body and that she would "never forgive you" for what he'd done to her, leaving her suffering debilitating panic attacks and turning to a clinical psychiatrist to manage her anxiety.

He accepted James had no previous convictions and his advocate's observations that he had represented the country at the Olympics and Commonwealth games, had done charity work and that the sentence he would serve in prison would be "alien to you".

He handed James an eight years jail sentence for the rape of the first girl and 13 years for the two offences of rape of the second girl. In both cases the girls were over 16 but still teens.

The sentences were to run consecutively, totalling 21 years. He was told he would serve two-thirds - 14 years - before being released on licence.

He was placed on the Sex Offender's Register for life and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 25 years.

Description

A ‘dangerous’ child sex offender has been found guilty following a three-year-long investigation.

Dominic Scribbins, aged 39 from Plymouth, was found guilty by a jury of 16 offences following a seven-day trial at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 29 November. He was found guilty of the following:

• Eight counts of indecent assault
• Three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• Two counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• And one count each of assault by penetration, sexual assault and engaging in sexual
• activity in the presence of a child.

The court heard how between 2003 and 2019, Scribbins had sexually and indecently assaulted several young girls in the Bristol and Dorset area, who were between the ages of four and 14 at the time of the incidents.

Officers first started investigating the case in 2021 when one of the victims came forward and reported non-recent sexual assaults by Scribbins. Following this, other victims came forward to make their own reports.

Following an extensive investigation, Scribbins was arrested on 11 November 2021 and later charged on 31 May last year.

Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Lucy Bryant said: “It has been three years since the victims in this case came forward to the police and I thank them for their bravery and resilience in supporting a prosecution.

“Because of their courage, a dangerous child sex offender has been taken off the streets and, following his sentencing in January 2025, will hopefully be in prison for many years to come.

“Sexual offences against such young and vulnerable members of our society are among the most despicable. Children should be able to trust adults and know they are safe in their company, but Scribbins brought about only pain and upset for his victims.

“No matter when the abuse happened, if something has happened to you then please report it to us, you will be believed and supported. We are committed to doing whatever is needed to achieve justice for the victims, while also providing and signposting them to safeguarding and support services.”

Scribbins was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault of a children under 13.

He was remanded into custody and will appear at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on Monday 13 January next year.