Court reveals officer used vulnerable young woman for sexual pleasure

Police sergeant David Stansbury is facing three charges of rape at Bristol Crown Court for allegedly raping a woman who was the victim of an attempted burglary in her home. The prosecution claims that Stansbury, who was a serving police officer with Devon and Cornwall Police between 2009 and 2011, took advantage of his position of trust to exploit the vulnerable victim for his own sexual gratification. Despite having no ongoing role in the investigation of the burglary, Stansbury allegedly returned to the woman’s home and raped her on multiple occasions.

The alleged victim, who had called 999 for help during the attempted burglary, recalls the first assault happening shortly after the 999 call, when she was intoxicated and had drugs in her home. Stansbury, in uniform, proceeded to undress and rape her, ignoring her protests. The woman described feeling helpless and ashamed, especially due to her drug and alcohol use, which she believed would make it difficult for her claims to be believed. The woman revealed the alleged assaults in 2020 during an arrest, expressing her fear of repercussions and loss of family if she had spoken out earlier.

The allegations against Stansbury are said to have come to light when the woman disclosed the assaults to officers while in custody in 2020. She explained that she had not forgotten the incidents but was afraid to report them due to her substance abuse issues. The trauma of the alleged rape was said to have been reawakened by the recent arrest, causing the woman significant distress. Prosecutors argue that Stansbury abused his authority as a police officer to exert power and control over the victim, confidently returning to her home for multiple rapes despite her initial fear and vulnerability.

Prosecutor Virginia Cornwall told the court that Stansbury’s actions constituted an abuse of power and trust as a police officer attending to a vulnerable woman in need of assistance. Stansbury, who is currently suspended from duty with Hertfordshire Police, allegedly displayed confidence and arrogance in returning to the victim’s home multiple times for sexual assaults, believing she would not report the incidents. The woman described feeling violated and helpless due to the power differential between herself and the uniformed police officer.

The trial was adjourned to continue on the following day, with the prosecution arguing that Stansbury’s actions were premeditated and carried out for his own sexual gratification. The alleged victim’s testimony, captured on body-worn cameras during her arrest, highlighted her fear and vulnerability following the assaults, as well as her reluctance to come forward earlier due to concerns about her drug and alcohol use affecting her credibility. Stansbury’s alleged abuse of power and authority as a police officer is a central focus of the trial, with the prosecution contending that he exploited a vulnerable woman for his own sexual gain while disregarding the impact on her mental and emotional well-being.