Paul Lipscombe raped a 12-year-old and sexually abused five others after grooming them on Snapchat – the married executive was described as ‘devious’ and ‘manipulative’
An NHS boss has been sentenced after the rape of a 12-year-old and sexual abuse of five others after using fake Snapchat accounts with false names to groom girls.
Sick paedo Paul Lipscombe was jailed for 28 years at Leicester Crown Court today (Tuesday). Leicestershire Police are urging any further victims to come forward after a court heard the 51-year-old told a probation officer he is a “monster” who has been committing sex offences against young girls since he was aged in his 20s.
He pleaded guilty to 34 offences, including two counts of rape, three sexual assaults and 21 offences of sexual activity with a child relating to six victims aged between 12 and 15. Lipscombe, of Rothley, Leicestershire, a married software expert, also pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, distributing them and causing or inciting sexual activity.
The married executive – described as “devious” and “manipulative” – was seen to raise his eyebrows but remained calm as he was sentenced to a three-year jail term, a consecutive sentence of 25 years and one month, to be followed by an additional three-year period on licence after serving his sentences.
Prosecutor Frida Hussain KC told Judge Keith Raynor on Monday that Lipscombe was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping a missing girl when officers pulled him over in his Tesla near a KFC in April last year. The court heard the girl was reported missing from her home in a different area of the country late at night before being picked up by Lipscombe nearby. He then took her to a hotel.
Ms Hussain said the 15-year-old was then given a “script” by the predator and was ordered to call 999 to falsely claim she was being abused by others, and wanted to leave home because she was “unhappy”. Lipscombe also instructed the girl to tell police she would be staying with a friend.
Ms Hussain told the court: “He was cautioned, and when he was cautioned, he said ‘I have not kidnapped anyone, I know exactly where she is’. He then told officers where she could be found.”
Lipscombe, who worked with the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust as a director involved in improving patient waiting times, “accused other people of serious crimes simply in order to mask his own crimes,” the prosecutor said.
Searches of Lipscombe’s car, the hotel and his home uncovered evidence that the youngster had been sexually assaulted. Items were discovered including his phone, soft toys, restraints, an open bottle of vodka and another mobile which had been wiped of all data.
Ms Hussain said when officers seized the wicked paedo’s phone, it was “very apparent” that there were more victims. An investigation was then launched.
Lipscombe made no comment in initial police interviews and refused to speak to police while in prison on remand.
On Lipscombe’s social media and online profiles, including at least two Snapchat accounts, he said he was an award-winning expert and keynote speaker.
Passing sentence on Tuesday, Judge Raynor told “warped” Lipscombe, who met five of the victims and committed an online offence against the sixth girl: “The evidence shows you to have been an intelligent, confident, resourceful and well-organised individual.
“You lived in a nice house with your wife and were proud of your wealth and the Tesla car parked on your drive.
“The evidence shows you to have been devious, scheming and manipulative. You were bold in your offending and you took very high risks. The sexual abuse of young girls was an obsession in life for you.”
The judge added that the victims had been “truly vulnerable” and some had been groomed by being bought presents including toys and teddy bears.
Before sentence was passed, defence counsel Mary Prior KC told the court Lipscombe still has a sexual interest in children but had no previous convictions.
She said of the NHS worker: “He was also an award-winning employee of the National Health Service because of the work he had done, particularly during Covid, in reducing waiting times for patients and improving computer systems.
“He did live, aside from this awful part of him, a good and decent life and was a useful member of society.”
During her submissions, Ms Prior said nothing she said was an excuse or an explanation for Lipscombe’s “disgusting and despicable” actions.
The court heard Lipscombe provided another internet user with what amounted to a “paedophile’s step-by-step guide” to contacting young girls online, gaining their confidence and then arranging to meet them.
Leicestershire Police said the case was handled by detectives working for its dedicated Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU).
When initially contacting the girls, Lipscombe had told them he was in his late 20s or early 30s, police said.
Speaking after the court hearing, Detective Constable Lauren Speight, from the CAIU, said: “Our investigation into the offending carried out by this man is continuing.
“We suspect he may have been in contact with other girls and could well have committed sexual offences against others. We would urge anyone who has been in contact with him to contact us.
“We are specially trained to speak to children who may have been victims of similar offences.
“I would also like to praise the girls and their families. It is thanks to them that Lipscombe is now behind bars and unable to prey on children any more.”
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust said: “We would like to praise the girls and their families, as well as Leicestershire Police, for their bravery and courage in bringing Paul Lipscombe to justice for these horrendous crimes.
“Following Lipscombe’s arrest in April 2024, we immediately suspended him before dismissing him from his administrative, non-patient facing role in June 2024.
“The Trust has and will continue to support Leicestershire Police with its investigations and has carried out its own internal review – nothing has been identified at this stage to indicate this individual’s criminal activity was committed as part of their role.”