Disgusting NHS boss raped 12-year-old girl and abused five other girls aged 15 and under

A "devious and scheming" NHS boss has been jailed for the rape and abuse of six young people, with his youngest victim only 12 years old. Paul Lipscombe, 51, appeared in Leicester Crown Court today, with the court hearing how he groomed and abused his victims across three decades, with Lipscombe admitting targeting underage girls since his 20s.

Pleading guilty to 34 charges, including the rape of a 12-year-old girl, Lipscombe, of Rothley, had previously held a role as an NHS executive for hospitals across Warwickshire. The court heard how he lured and groomed his victims by using the messaging app Snapchat. Lipscombe also admitted to charges of distributing child pornography to paedophiles on the internet, including three images of the 12-year-old he had raped. He was also found to create and distribute inappropriate photos of his other victims using AI - earning him more than £3,700.

Officers found more than 17,000 child abuse images on his devices, as well as one "distressed" victim who could be heard crying and begging him to step while he forced her to perform a sex act.

The court heard the distressing and horrifying details of some of Lipscombe's attacks, including how he hit one of the girls while forcing her to perform a sex act.

Lipscombe was caught after one of his 15-year-old victims had run away from her Lincolnshire home to stay in a hotel with the 51-year-old in Birstall - during which time Lipscombe's wife believed him to be on a work trip in London.

After CCTV footage of the young girl and Lipscombe was found, a manhunt was launched, and he was arrested at a KFC in the town soon after.

The paedophile initially denied all offences, but just before the trial pleaded guilty to the 34 charges.

Even while in prison, waiting for trial, the staff seized a fictional story about the rape of a child that he had written, which was used as evidence against him.

Mary Prior KC, representing Lipscombe, said her client had no previous convictions, suffered with ADHD and autism and had spared the six girls from giving evidence by his late guilty pleas.

Lipscombe admitted 21 counts of sexual activity with a child, seven indecent child image charges, three sexual assaults on girls under 13, two rapes of girls under 13 and a charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was sentenced to 28 years and one month in prison, with his earliest release after 18 years and two months if he is approved by a parole board.

He will also be on licence for an extra three years on top of his whole sentence. The judge also imposed a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order against the six girls.

Detective Constable Lauren Speight said: "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."

Superintendent Helen Schofield warned parents of the threat of online predators. She said: "The extent of Lipscombe's offending is truly shocking.

"This man has been grooming young girls online and after gaining their trust he has abused that trust in the most horrendous ways imaginable. The threat children face online is extremely prevalent and we all have a part to play in keeping them safe.

"As parents, many of us can say we know where our child is, who they are with and what they are doing when they aren't with us and there is a perception that they are safe when they are at home.

"But this may not be the case. If your child has access to a phone or tablet and is active on social media or online gaming platforms then they are at risk of being targeted by people who want to cause them harm.

"Talking to your child about these dangers is so important and being able to spot the possible signs of online offences, such as grooming, is vital to help try to keep them safe."