In 2018, the Offender Database recorded that Scott Coombes, a twice-convicted paedophile from Plymouth, was jailed for three and a half years after being snared in a physical meeting sting. Coombes—of Plymouth, Devon—was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court following his arrest in November 2018. It was reported that the investigation was triggered by the undercover group UK Database, who operated a decoy profile named “Elsie Knight” to expose Coombes’ persistent attempts to target a 13-year-old girl.
The investigation established that Coombes attempted to flee the scene when confronted at the pre-arranged meeting point but was successfully detained and handed over to the police. Plymouth Crown Court heard that Coombes pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child, inciting a child into sexual activity, and meeting a child following sexual grooming. The prosecution reported that this was his second such arrest in 2018 alone, having previously been caught by the group Justice for the Innocent for similar online grooming activities.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Coombes has a prolific history of breaching court orders and engaging in digital child abuse. Plymouth Crown Court heard that in November 2014, he broke a previous sexual offences court order by communicating with a 13-year-old and was caught for a second time with indecent images. The investigation established that as far back as November 2013, Coombes had posed as a 14-year-old girl named “Sophie” to trade abuse images with other offenders and chat sexually with real schoolgirls.
Judge-led proceedings highlighted that Coombes also admitted to 11 counts of possessing indecent images of children and four counts of distributing child sexual abuse images. For his actions in Plymouth and the repeated breaches of public trust, he was handed a custodial sentence. The judge noted that Coombes’ pattern of posing as a child to facilitate abuse and his refusal to comply with prior court restrictions made him a significant and persistent danger to the community.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Devon, the status of Scott Coombes as of April 6, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: RELEASED (Served 3.5-year term; sentenced 2018; released on licence circa 2021).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Sexual Harm Prevention Order active for life.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Meeting a child for sex; Inciting sexual activity; Distribution of indecent images; 18+ counts total).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court; investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Four separate major interventions (2013, 2014, twice in 2018); Use of “Sophie” alias to trade images; Repeated breaches of court orders.
- Origin: Plymouth, Devon.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Coombes is managed as a maximum-risk registered sex offender within the Plymouth area following his release from prison. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “predatory persistence” and his history of reoffending immediately after being caught—his management is a critical priority for the Devon and Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his ability to mask his identity online using female aliases requires the most intensive digital monitoring available under current UK law.
As a registered sex offender for life, the defendant’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his lifelong SHPO includes total bans on encrypted messaging and unannounced forensic inspections of all digital devices. Any failure to notify police of his movements in Plymouth, any attempt to create new social media profiles, or any unauthorized proximity to areas where children congregate will result in immediate arrest and recall to prison to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from his demonstrated pattern of serial offending.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was caught twice in the same year by different decoy groups, do you believe that “Automatic Life Sentences” should be legally required for any sex offender who reoffends while already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.