Police officer not guilty of rape

A POLICE officer has been found not guilty of raping a woman in her home.

David Stansbury, aged 43, was on trial for and denied three counts of rape occurring between October 23 and November 30, 2009.

Following a three-week trial, he was found not guilty by a jury on April 3, after six hours and 48 minutes of deliberation.

Following his acquittal, an emotional Sergeant Stansbury left the courtroom. Judge William Hart told him: “Mr Stansbury you are discharged, you are free to leave the dock.”

The trial, which was held at Bristol Crown Court, heard that Sgt Stansbury, who was an officer with Devon & Cornwall Police at the time, had been called to the woman’s address and took her statement after a suspect had tried to force entry.

The woman accused him of returning to her home in the days following her call, when she was intoxicated and was in possession of illegal substances. The woman made these accu“I sations against Sgt Stansbury in 2020, when she was arrested over a disturbance and told the officers she had been assaulted.

She explained that she did not report it earlier due to fears related to her drug and alcohol use, which she believed could result in losing her family.

Sgt Stansbury told the court he did not rape her and insisted he does not remember her or the attempted break-in at her home.

During his evidence to the court, Sgt Stansbury said his accuser had “told a complete lie that’s completely ruined my life”.

Jim Pearce, Assistant Chief Constable at Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “We note the verdicts from the court and the acquittal of David Stansbury following reports of rape. We do not underestimate how difficult this matter has been for all of those involved in this case.”

Sgt Stansbury is currently a sergeant with Hertfordshire Constabulary but has been suspended from duty.