JAMES EDWARD RIGGS FROM SALTASH SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN PLYMOUTH COURT

In December 2014, James Edward Riggs, a man previously convicted of various offenses, was released from prison and returned to his hometown of Saltash to reside with his father, who is a former police officer. This development followed a lengthy legal process stemming from a serious criminal case that had garnered significant attention in the region.

Back in December 2010, Riggs was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a minor girl. The case was heard at Plymouth Crown Court, where Judge Francis Gilbert QC delivered a stern verdict, condemning Riggs for his actions. The judge described Riggs as an arrogant individual who had exploited a young girl on multiple occasions for his own sexual gratification. The court heard that Riggs, then aged 25 and residing in Plough Green, Saltash, was convicted on charges of one count of rape and five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

During the trial, Riggs appeared in court dressed in a dark suit with a blue striped tie, maintaining an impassive demeanor throughout the proceedings. Despite his composure, he shook his head as the jury delivered their unanimous verdict of guilt. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, was informed of Riggs’s prior criminal record, which included two convictions for drink driving and one for possession of cocaine, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior.

The trial, which lasted a week, revealed disturbing details about Riggs’s interactions with the young girl. It was established that Riggs had called the girl into his bedroom when she came to his home to return a lost wallet. It was during this visit that he engaged in unprotected sex with her, despite her clear reluctance. Over the course of several months, Riggs and the girl maintained a sexual relationship, which included an outing to Torpoint by bus—a trip Riggs denied taking her on. Evidence against Riggs was solidified by two crucial pieces: his thumbprint found on a bus ticket and a five-hour gap in the communication logs—texts and phone calls—that coincided precisely with the time of the alleged bus trip.

Riggs attempted to defend himself by claiming that he had only one sexual encounter with the girl’s mother, who had expressed interest in a relationship with him, which he had refused. He also alleged that the girl, her uncle, and other witnesses had fabricated evidence against him, supported by what he described as lies from the girl herself. However, the court found these claims unconvincing.

In sentencing Riggs, Judge Gilbert did not hold back in his condemnation. He stated, “You took advantage of a young, impressionable girl who was extremely vulnerable for your own sexual gratification without any regard for the damage you were doing to her. You had sex with her repeatedly over a couple of months, with no regard to her welfare.” The judge further criticized Riggs’s attitude during the trial, noting that his behavior in the witness box demonstrated his arrogance. The judge emphasized that the evidence against Riggs was overwhelming and that his actions had caused significant harm to the young victim.

Following his release in December 2014, Riggs returned to Saltash, where he now lives with his father, who has a background in law enforcement. The case remains a stark reminder of the serious consequences of abusing trust and exploiting vulnerable individuals, and it continues to resonate within the community of Saltash and beyond.