ROCHESTER JEWELLER STEPHEN LARCOMBE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON YOUNG BOYS ON TRAINS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Rochester, a 45-year-old local jeweller named Stephen Larcombe has been sentenced to prison for his heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of teenage boys on train services.The conviction, which was finalized last month at Southwark Crown Court, has led to Larcombe being placed on the sex offender register for life, marking a severe punishment for his actions.
Larcombe, who resides on High Street in Wouldham, Rochester, was found guilty of two separate counts of sexual assault against boys aged 16 and under.
The first incident took place in January 2006 aboard a train traveling between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
The second assault occurred four months later on a train journey between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood.
In both cases, Larcombe targeted young teenage boys, engaging in inappropriate and criminal behavior aimed at satisfying his own sexual urges.
Following his conviction, Larcombe was sentenced to two and a half years in prison during a hearing on Tuesday.
The court also mandated that he register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward.
Judge Anthony Pitts, who presided over the case, described Larcombe as a predatory sexual offender.
In his remarks, the judge emphasized the lack of remorse shown by Larcombe, stating, “Not only is there no remorse from you, but it looks from the pre-sentence report that you continue to protest your innocence.” Detective Sergeant Paddy Kerr, of the British Transport Police South Area Crime Unit, provided insight into the investigation.
He explained that police had successfully tracked Larcombe after releasing a CCTV image of him walking along a railway station platform in Kent.
The image received a significant response from the public, which ultimately aided in his identification and arrest.
Sergeant Kerr further commented on the impact of Larcombe’s actions, saying, “The victims in these cases reported serious allegations of sexual touching after being targeted by Larcombe on and off train services in the Tonbridge area.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the public who assisted us in arresting and bringing to justice a predatory sex offender.
Larcombe’s actions were deplorable and have had a severe impact on the young victims in this case.” He concluded with a message of encouragement for other potential victims, stating, “I hope that this case will encourage any other victims of sex crimes to have the confidence to report such crimes so police can do their job and deal with such perpetrators.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in combating sexual offenses, especially those committed in public and transit environments.
