HERBERT PLANT'S CHILD SEX OFFENSES AND LOTTERY WIN IN WORCESTER

In June 2008, it was revealed that Herbert Plant, a lottery winner from Worcester, had a criminal history involving child sex offenses. Plant, who later received a £2.6 million lottery prize in 2008, appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court in October 2002, where he faced accusations of rape.

The court heard that in 2001, after moving into a caravan where a 15-year-old girl was living, Plant forcibly engaged in sexual activity with her. During this period, he reportedly enticed her with port and cannabis, and the abuse persisted for three months. Plant allegedly told the vulnerable girl that she needed to have sex with him in exchange for rent.

Originally charged with rape, Plant ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of having sex with a minor. Because the girl was too afraid to testify, he avoided a custodial sentence but was required to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.

Fast forward to Tuesday, when 49-year-old Herbert Plant, residing in Blackpole, Worcester, collected his lottery winnings. Plant, previously homeless, now works as a chef at St. Paul’s Hostel in Worcester. Reflecting on his journey, he said, 'I have been skint as skint can be – I used to live in St. Paul’s Hostel and I became a chef there so I could repay what they gave me.'