Man who ran Plymouth teeth-whitening salon convicted of rapes and sexual assaults

A man who ran a teeth-whitening salon in Plymouth has been convicted of a series of rapes and sexual assaults against seven women, including customers of the salon.

Ricky Stubberfield, aged 31, carried out the attacks over a period of eleven years between 2013 and 2024.

Some of the assaults took place at the Essex Smiles salon on Mutley Plain, Plymouth, during a period when Stubberfield was the co-owner and manager, between 2022 and 2024.

A number of the women were contacted by Stubberfield on Instagram and offered free treatment in exchange for promoting his business. When they attended their appointments, Stubberfield made sexual advances and then assaulted them.

Other offences were carried out by Stubberfield in a variety of locations around Plymouth.

Stubberfield, of Walnut Gardens, Plympton, was arrested on 9 June 2024 after a number of complaints were made to police.

Laura Opie of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The evidence presented in this case clearly demonstrated Stubberfield’s long history of rape and sexual assault.

“This included offences carried out at the Essex Smiles teeth-whitening salon in Plymouth, where Stubberfield used his position to lure women with the promise of free treatment, before sexually assaulting them.

“The women who so bravely came forward to give evidence all described very similar experiences with Stubberfield, revealing a horrifying picture of a man who repeatedly abused women for his own sexual gratification.

“The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to securing justice for the victims of rape and sexual abuse and we will continue to work closely with the police to prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.”