ROSS LUSCOMBE FROM WHITLEIGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEX WITH UNDER-AGE GIRL IN PLYMOUTH

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Plymouth, Ross Luscombe, a 20-year-old man from Whitleigh, narrowly avoided a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The incident, which took place in April of the previous year, involved Luscombe having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16. Prosecutor David Gittins outlined to Plymouth Crown Court that Luscombe, then 20, had sex with the girl using a condom during the initial encounter. The following week, he continued to engage in a series of sexual acts with her inside a bathroom, until authorities intervened and caught him in the act.

At the time of the offenses, Luscombe was residing in Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh. He subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, acknowledging his involvement in these criminal acts. The court heard that the sexual encounters were driven more by Luscombe’s intoxicated state—being under the influence of alcohol and drugs—rather than any genuine romantic connection, as Judge Francis Gilbert QC remarked during sentencing.

In his judgment, Judge Gilbert emphasized the seriousness of Luscombe’s actions but also acknowledged the circumstances. He sentenced Luscombe to 12 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning Luscombe would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period. Additionally, Luscombe was placed under a two-year supervision order managed by the Probation Service. The judge also imposed a strict curfew, requiring Luscombe to remain at his residence between 8 pm and 7 am for six months, enforced through electronic tagging. Furthermore, Luscombe was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

Judge Gilbert concluded by noting that the sentence was a “better deal than going to prison for a couple of years,” and he stressed the importance of Luscombe seeking help to address the issues that led to his offending behavior. The case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding sexual offenses involving minors and the judicial system’s approach to balancing punishment with rehabilitation.