RITCHIE PLUMB FROM MINETY INVOLVED IN CHILD SEX DOLL AND INDECENT IMAGES CASES

In February 2019, the community of Minety faced unsettling news as Ritchie Plumb, a man with a troubling history linked to child exploitation allegations, had his community service order revoked and replaced with a strict night-time curfew. The 37-year-old, who resides at Derry Park in Minety, was previously sentenced for possessing a collection of indecent images of children and attempting to import what authorities believed was a child sex doll.

Initially, Plumb was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work as part of his punishment for possessing numerous films and images depicting child abuse. However, this sentence was later reconsidered by a judge, who decided that instead of community service, Plumb should be subjected to a curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, which was extended to include his driveway to allow him to defrost his car for his wife, who stood by him during the proceedings. Additionally, the court mandated that he participate in a Horizon sex offenders programme and adhere to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, along with registration as a sex offender for the same period.

The case stemmed from an incident in December 2017, when police intercepted a small doll that Plumb had purchased online, believed to be a child sex doll. Although ownership of the doll was later deemed not illegal, the investigation uncovered a disturbing array of digital evidence. Authorities seized his computers and discovered hundreds of indecent images of children, with some files depicting girls aged between 5 and 11 being raped. The files were organized for quick access, indicating premeditation and intent.

Further examination of his online activity revealed conversations on Facebook and other platforms, where Plumb discussed his paedophilic interests. He was warned by others about discussing such topics publicly, especially if he was considering adopting children. Despite expressing a desire to keep the doll, Plumb was persuaded to hand it over for destruction. Prosecutors clarified that although the doll was small, it was intended to represent an adult, not a child, though there was concern it was meant to be a child-like figure.

Plumb pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing prohibited images. The court heard that the images ranged from the most severe category to the least, with some images showing children being raped. The judge, Robert Pawson, emphasized that the images' classification influenced the sentencing, but in Plumb’s case, the overwhelming presence of less serious images led to a more lenient approach. The court also noted that Plumb was involved in community activities, such as volunteering with a local Brownie Group, which added complexity to his profile.

In a related case in September 2018, Plumb was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court for downloading approximately 2,000 indecent images of children, including four in the most severe category. He was also found to possess 11 prohibited images, typically cartoons or drawings of children. Despite the initial suspicion that he attempted to import a child sex doll, prosecutors later confirmed that the doll was of an adult, making its possession and importation not illegal. Nevertheless, Plumb was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and was given a community order, including 40 days of rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Throughout these proceedings, Plumb’s case has highlighted the ongoing concerns surrounding online child exploitation and the importance of rigorous investigation and sentencing. His actions and the subsequent legal responses underscore the serious nature of such offenses and the measures taken to protect vulnerable children from potential harm.