JON ROSS GUILTY OF SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN PLYMOUTH AND GUNNISLAKE

In a significant legal development, Jon Ross, a 60-year-old man with ties to Gunnislake and currently residing in Plymouth, has been found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving minors. The verdict was delivered on April 11, 2022, at Truro Crown Court after a lengthy trial during which the defendant maintained his innocence, forcing the victim to testify in court about the abuse they endured.

Ross faced a series of charges, including indecency with a child, indecent assault on a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and sexual assault by penetration. The court proceedings revealed that police investigations uncovered indecent images of children stored on Ross’s computer. These images had been distributed to others, although prosecutors chose not to pursue charges related to distribution at this time. The court heard that Ross was remanded into custody and will face sentencing at a later date for the sexual offences.

Additionally, the judge was informed of an outstanding charge against Ross, which remains unresolved and will be addressed in due course. The court’s focus was on the sexual offences, but the case also highlighted Ross’s prior arrest related to a violent incident in Burrator Avenue on July 9, 2021. During that incident, Ross was suspected of attempting to murder two police officers after stabbing them at around 3 a.m.

Following his arrest, Ross was taken into custody at Charles Cross police station, where he was interviewed and subsequently charged with two counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Further charges included possession of a bladed article, specifically a folding pocket knife, and two counts of assaulting emergency workers, believed to be police officers. The two officers, male patrol constables based in Tavistock, sustained stab wounds during the altercation but were later discharged from hospital after receiving treatment. One officer suffered injuries to his arms, while the other sustained injuries to his face and arms, underscoring the severity of the incident.