Former North Watford police officer denies rape in court

Sergeant David Stansbury appeared at Bristol Crown Court this morning (March 27) where he is on trial accused of three counts of rape.

Giving evidence, Stansbury denied the charges and insisted he did not remember being called to an incident at her property.

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Stansbury, 43, of Ilminster in Somerset, is accused of raping the woman in Plymouth, Devon, between October 23 and November 30 2009.

He was an officer with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time and now serves with Hertfordshire Police, but is currently suspended from duty.

Herts Police have confirmed that Stansbury had worked within the North Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team. In his first five months, from late 2012, he covered Leggatts before swapping to Woodside.

Stansbury had also worked as an intervention officer, responding to 999 calls in the Hertsmere area, and most recently worked within Welwyn Hatfield’s Safer Neighbourhood Team.

He had been called to the woman’s address and took her statement after a suspect had tried to smash her door in.

She had called 999 and Stansbury was among the officers who responded.

The alleged victim said she believes the first of three assaults started within days of her original 999 call.

Sergeant David Stansbury arrives at Bristol Crown Court. (Image: PA)

His defence barrister, Jenny Tallentire, questioned Stansbury, asking if he had raped or had sex with the complainant, with him answering “no” to both.

She said: “You will recall that when you were asked in interview, and that was some time ago now in November 2020, whether you remembered this incident – you didn’t. As you stand here now do you remember that incident?”

Stansbury said: “I wish I did but I do not.”

Ms Tallentire said that he had been shown a photograph of the alleged victim during the police interview and Stansbury had said he did not recognise her.

Asked if he recognised her now, Mr Stansbury said he did not.

Presenting him with documents from the day of the incident, Ms Tallentire asked if there was anything “unusual” or “distinctive” about the incident and his notes.

He said there was “not at all”, with Judge William Hart accepting that in the 11 intervening years, a lot of “water would have flowed under the bridge since then”.

The court also heard that the alleged victim believed Stanbury had a birthmark or tattoo on the inside of his leg.

Stanbury said this was not the case and had shown the interviewing officer in 2020 that he did not have one.

The trial continues.