Plymouth teeth-whitening salon boss jailed for 26 years for sexual assaults
Ricky Stubberfield, 31, was convicted earlier this year of 23 offences, including eight rapes
Last updated 21st Oct 2025
A man who ran a teeth-whitening salon in Plymouth has been jailed for 26 years after being convicted of a series of rapes and sexual assaults against eight women, including customers.
Ricky Stubberfield, 31, carried out the attacks over a period of eleven years between 2013 and 2024 and was convicted of 23 offences.
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, who had no previous convictions, was arrested on 9 June 2024 after a number of complaints were made to police.
His Honour Judge Linford today reminded Stubberfield he had exposed himself at his work place, whilst a child was nearby, left a victim with injuries and targeted a young girl after she had been drinking which he ‘exploited’.
He told Stubberfield that the cases he had reflected during the summing up ‘barely does justice to the people you abused’.
He said: “Your approach is ‘they are all liars and you haven’t committed a single offence.”
Stubberfield’s legal team had argued his ADHD was a factor, something the judge today said ‘does not reduce your culpability’.
On release Stubberfield was told by the judge he ‘still poses a very high risk’, which reflected the ‘almost nonchalant way’ he carried out the offences and was given a six year extension on licence.
What did his victims say?
Stubberfield sat emotionless via a video link as victim impact statements were read out.
One victim, who was assaulted on a Christmas Eve told the court in a victim impact statement 'there has not been a single Christmas where I haven't thought about the assault' adding that she hoped 'this year will be different'.
She told the court she now feels 'incredibly strongly about teaching consent to my toddlers', adding that she wants to ensure her girls have the confidence to say no to someone touching their bodies and taking advantage like Stubberfield did.
Another victim, who was 17 at the time, said Stubberfield used 'power and control to fulfil his toxic needs' and 'sees nothing wrong in exploiting others' and 'finds satisfaction in the humiliation and degradation of women', adding 'his manipulation is very calculated'.
She reflected 'it's not always the stranger in a dark alley hiding behind a knife' and that 'people would say you know what Ricky is like, but that was the problem'.
Another victim who was 16 at the time said the 'long-term effects were devastating' and she decided to 'speak out for every girl who had been silenced by him'.
A third victim told the court she had 'blamed herself' for a long time afterwards and worried about the 'potential of nobody believing me' as 'that 10 minutes changed my life forever'.
She reflected on seeing an article about his charge and felt 'guilt' from not speaking out before - despite having undergone invasive tests in the hours after the attack. She reflected how he'd 'orchestrated for his shop to be empty' and 'the doors to be locked' as she 'lost herself in a way she didn't believe she ever could'.
A fourth victim said 'I hate myself for not coming forward sooner' and 'that guilt consumed me' and the attack 'left me traumatised' but 'I refuse to let him define me' and her message to other survivors was 'you are never alone'.
A fifth victim said :'The fact he was able to behave like that with no shame says everything about who he is' and that 'he underestimated us and he believed that no one would speak out, but we have'.
A sixth said: "There is something I will always tell my children that no one on this planet has the right to ruin someone's day' and the incident 'almost cost me my life'.
She reflected: "There was no remorse and he instead took to blaming his victims to make things easier for himself."
What did the Crown Prosecution Service say?
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.”
What did the police say?
Detective Constable Kezia Worden said: "The sentence given today serves to recognise the severity of one mans sexual violence and the bravery of the women who stood up against it.
"It sends a clear message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated in our community.
"Ricky Stubberfield carried out a tirade of vile sexual offending for over a decade during which time he preyed on multiple young women.
"He was found guilty of committing 23 serious sexual offences against eight women and yet has shown no remorse for his actions.
"The women who experienced these horrendous crimes have shown incredible bravery in reporting the offences and supporting the criminal process in order to seek justice.
"Their strength and courage has been incredible, and I truly hope that today’s outcome will help bring them some closure.
"I also hope that this outcome may give confidence to others who have experienced sexual offending to come forward and tell us so that we may investigate and bring offenders to justice."