Man who ran teeth-whitening salon jailed for rape

Ricky Stubberfield, who ran a teeth whitening business in Plymouth, was arrested in June 2024

A man who ran a teeth-whitening business has been jailed for 26 years for rape after luring women under the promise of free treatments.

Ricky Stubberfield, 31, of Walnut Gardens, Plympton, was found guilty of 23 sexual offences including eight counts of rape against seven women between 2013 and 2024.

Plymouth Crown Court heard how Stubberfield messaged young women on social media to offer them free treatments in exchange for promoting the business he co-owned.

It heard how he abused three women who answered his social media offer and two other regular female customers at the the Essex Smiles teeth-whitening salon on Mutley Plain between 2022 and 2024.

The court also heard how he abused three other females at various locations including at a concert between 2013 and 2022.

Stubberfield was convicted of 23 offences - eight counts of rape, nine counts of sexual assault, four counts of digital penetration, indecent exposure and making an indecent image of a child.

The jury was unable to reach a majority verdict on three further charges of rape, digital penetration and sexual assault.

'No longer felt safe'

In victim impact statements read out in court, one victim said she had moved away from her home in Plymouth as it held so much pain for her.

"My body will never look the same to me, I will always be dirty," she said.

Another victim told the court: "I no longer felt safe in my own body."

Another woman said she felt "ashamed, guilty and completely alone" and had suffered suicidal thoughts.

"That is the damage this man caused me," she said.

Judge Robert Lindford described Stubberfield's behaviour as "utter remorseless predation".

"It's almost as if you were not able to comprehend that women would not want to have sex with you," he said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said Stubberfield first came to the attention of officers in February 2022 when a 16-year-old girl reported he had sexually abused her on two occasions that month.

It said on one night he had raped her in the disabled toilet during a concert at Plymouth Pavilions and later in the back of his van on Plymouth Hoe.

Stubberfield was arrested in June 2024.

'Incredible bravery'

Det Con Kezia Worden said "sends a clear message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated in our community".

"The women who experienced these horrendous crimes have shown incredible bravery in reporting the offences," she said.

"Their strength and courage has been incredible, and I truly hope that today's outcome will help bring them some closure."

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