David Stansbury: Police sergeant raped domestic abuse victim in her home after 999 call, court told

After responding to an attempted break-in by her former boyfriend at her home, David Stansbury returned within 48 hours, the woman said. He found cocaine in her house and said "I'm the law" before he raped her, his trial has heard.

By Andy Hughes, specialist producer

Wednesday 20 March 2024 20:42, UK

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A domestic abuse victim has told a court how a police officer raped her in her own home after he responded to her 999 call.

Sergeant David Stansbury "abused his trust" as a police officer and is accused of taking advantage of a vulnerable woman for his "own sexual gratification", Bristol Crown Court heard.

The officer is accused of raping the woman on three separate occasions after he was one of two officers who responded to an attempted break-in at her home.

Bristol Crown Court heard how Stansbury had been called out to the scene and took the woman's statement after her ex-boyfriend had tried to smash into her home.

The mother-of-two claimed Stansbury, 43, returned to her home within 48 hours, found cocaine in her house and told her she should not be doing that, saying "I'm the law" before he raped her.

Prosecutors claim the officer took off his police uniform and placed his radio on the mantlepiece before sexually assaulting her.

The woman claims she did not report the rapes because she was scared the officer would report her for drug use and social services would place her children into care.

She told the court: "I felt obliged to do what he wanted because I didn't want him to report me."

In a police interview shown to the court, the woman described herself as feeling "just frozen" afterwards and told officers in her police interview: "He got himself dressed. I remember he looked right in the mirror. He was making sure he was all right. He did not give a s*** about me.

"Then he said 'Oh, I will see you again' and he left, slammed the door and was gone."

Stansbury, of Ilminster, Somerset, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape between 23 October and 30 November, 2009.

He was an officer with Devon and Cornwall Police between 2009 and 2011. He now serves with Hertfordshire Police but is currently suspended from duty.

The woman reported the alleged rapes in 2020 after she was arrested following a disturbance. The court heard how she had been a victim of domestic and sexual abuse from her ex-boyfriend in the past.

The woman told the court how the officer offered to take one of her sons in his police car for a ride with blue lights, but said she was unclear if that was before or after the rape.

Jenny Tallentine, defending Stansbury, claimed the woman's account was inconsistent. She told her: "You have said different things about this at different times, haven't you?"

The woman replied she was confused about some details because she was "unwell" at the time and suffered from mental health problems.

She said: "It was a long time ago. Some things are muddled but I remember that traumatic event."

The trial continues. Stansbury is on bail.

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