STEPHEN LOBB FROM PLYMOUTH AND TORQUAY INVOLVED IN SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER CASES

In September 2017, a disturbing incident unfolded in Torquay involving Stephen Lobb, a known sex offender with a troubling criminal history. The incident occurred outside a Superdrug store in Paignton, where Lobb, 23 years old, was involved in a violent assault that left a man with a fractured jaw. The court heard that the attack was provoked by the victim calling Lobb a ‘nonce,’ a derogatory term referencing his previous sex offences against minors.

According to court reports, Lobb responded to the taunt with extreme violence. He reportedly jumped onto the victim’s back, delivering three punches to the head and then kneeing him in the face. The assault resulted in severe injuries for the victim, including a jaw broken in three places, the loss of teeth, and bleeding on the brain that required hospital treatment. The court was told that Lobb’s history of criminal activity is extensive, with 26 previous convictions covering a total of 55 offences.

Despite the severity of his actions, Lobb was sentenced to 16 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and complete 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge’s decision was influenced by the court’s consideration of the circumstances, including the fact that Lobb’s reaction was in response to what was deemed ‘extreme provocation.’

However, Lobb’s criminal record reveals a pattern of predatory behavior. In February 2014, just months after his release from prison, he engaged in a series of disturbing actions involving underage girls. A Plymouth-based predator, Lobb, contacted a 14-year-old girl shortly after being released from jail, despite having previously served time for causing a pregnancy in a minor. He managed to persuade her to have sex with him multiple times, despite her reluctance, and when she became pregnant, he told her to ‘get rid of it,’ pressuring her into an abortion. He then left her and moved on to pursue another girl aged just 15.

At the time, Lobb was living on Paradise Road in Plymouth but later moved to Carlton Road in Torquay. He admitted to four counts of sexual activity with minors and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Exeter Crown Court. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, expressed strong disapproval of Lobb’s actions, highlighting that his previous sentence of eight weeks for similar offences was ‘extremely lenient.’

The court heard that Lobb’s contact with the underage girls continued even after his initial arrest, with the victim from Plymouth describing how he contacted her on Facebook and pressured her into having an abortion. Despite his claims that both girls were liars, the evidence against him was compelling. The prosecution emphasized the serious psychological harm such offences can cause, underscoring the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Lobb.

During proceedings, Lobb’s defense attorney, Miss Anne Bellchambers, stated that he had taken steps to improve himself, including completing courses in prison aimed at helping him find employment. She also noted his willingness to attend further courses to address his attitude towards women and to enhance his social skills, indicating some level of remorse and a desire for rehabilitation.