Trial reveals police officer claims he does not remember woman he is accused of raping

Police Sergeant David Stansbury is currently on trial at Bristol Crown Court charged with three counts of rape. He denies raping a woman and claims he does not remember her. The alleged incidents occurred in Plymouth, Devon, between October 23 and November 30, 2009. Stansbury, who was an officer with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time, had responded to an incident at the woman’s address after a suspect had tried to break in. The alleged victim believes the assaults started shortly after this initial incident.

During his court appearance, Stansbury denied the charges brought against him and stated that he does not recall the incident in question. His defense barrister questioned him about the alleged rape and sexual relations with the complainant, to which he repeatedly answered “no”. Stansbury had been shown a photo of the woman during a police interview and did not recognize her. He also denied having a birthmark or tattoo on the inside of his leg, as described by the alleged victim. However, GPS data suggested he had returned to the woman’s street multiple times after the incident.

The prosecution barrister accused Stansbury of being dishonest and highlighted his past misconduct related to falsely recording overtime. Stansbury admitted to making mistakes during this time, attributing it to poor health following the death of his mother and a diagnosis of bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders. He denied having any unusual interest in the alleged victim but admitted to accessing her personal records multiple times after the incident had been passed to another officer. Stansbury also stated that he may have visited the woman’s street for reassurance purposes following the domestic incident.

Despite the evidence presented in court, including GPS data showing Stansbury’s frequent visits to the woman’s street, he maintained that he could not remember the alleged victim or the incident itself. He believed himself to be a victim of false accusations that have ruined his life. The defense focused on challenging the credibility of the alleged victim, particularly regarding the timeline of events and Stansbury’s involvement. Stansbury’s defense team argued that the lack of recollection of the incident should not be taken as an admission of guilt and that the prosecution’s case lacked substantial evidence to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

The trial is ongoing, with Stansbury’s credibility and memory being key points of contention. The prosecution is attempting to establish a pattern of suspicious behavior on Stansbury’s part, while the defense is emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence linking him to the alleged crimes. The court is tasked with determining the truth behind the allegations and whether Stansbury’s lack of memory should be determinative of his innocence or guilt. The trial will continue to unfold, with both sides presenting their arguments and evidence in the pursuit of justice.