BRYAN DAVIS BRENTRY BRISTOL: EX-POLICEMAN SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a landmark case that has spanned over five decades, Bryan Davis, a former police officer from Brentry, Bristol, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls. The conviction follows a detailed trial at Bristol Crown Court, where Davis, aged 87, was found guilty of raping and sexually abusing four girls under the age of 16, with the earliest abuse dating back to when one victim was only seven years old.

Retired from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 1976, Davis faced a total of 20 serious charges related to sexual misconduct. These included allegations of raping one girl, indecently assaulting two others, and engaging in indecency with a fourth girl. Throughout the proceedings, Davis maintained his innocence, denying all charges of indecent assault and rape. Despite his denials, the jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilt on 19 counts, with the 20th charge confirmed guilty by a majority of 11 to one.

Judge Simon Darwall-Smith addressed Davis directly in court, condemning his abuse of power and the betrayal of trust inherent in his role as a police officer. The judge stated, “You used your position as a police officer to shield yourself from the consequences of the most serious form of child abuse, culminating in a campaign of rape. It is unnecessary to spell out the damage caused to your victims.” The judge also highlighted Davis’s apparent lack of remorse and empathy, emphasizing the profound impact his actions had on those he victimized.

Given that the offenses occurred before the enactment of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the judge noted that Davis could potentially serve up to two-thirds of his sentence behind bars, rather than the half that is typical under current law. This detail underscores the severity with which the court viewed his crimes.

Following the sentencing, one of Davis’s victims expressed relief and gratitude, stating, “On behalf of everyone involved, I, and we, are delighted to be able to say justice has finally been done after 50 years. Great thanks to the whole justice system, which has been extremely supportive and got us to this point today.”

During the trial, additional testimonies revealed the extent of Davis’s misconduct. One woman recounted how, at age 13, Davis groped her, an experience she described as confusing and shameful, especially given his position in the police force. She explained, “I certainly hadn’t heard of the word paedophile all those years ago. It made me feel ashamed in a way. I just didn’t understand why he had done it to me. He was in the police force. All those years ago, we just didn’t talk about things like that.”

Another woman testified that Davis first touched her improperly when she was only seven years old, forcing himself on her and instructing her to keep it a secret. She described her fear and the lasting scars left by his abuse, calling him “a monster” with a “very, very bad temper.”

Throughout the trial, Davis’s defense team, led by Fiona Elder, urged the court to consider his advanced age and health conditions, requesting leniency. Meanwhile, the prosecution highlighted the long history of his offenses, which spanned from the 1950s to the late 1990s, and praised the bravery of the victims who came forward after many years of silence.

Superintendent Sarah Crew of Avon and Somerset Police commented on the case, saying, “Bryan Davis believed he had got away with these crimes, which have left his victims with scars for many years. Having committed the offenses over a period of 40 years, his victims finally found the courage to speak out to specialist detectives, leading to his conviction. The sentence passed today is a step toward justice, and I hope it provides some measure of comfort to those affected.”

Previously, in April 2010, Davis was found guilty of 20 sex offenses against children, including six counts of rape and multiple indecent assaults. The police investigation revealed that Davis was actively abusing victims while still serving as a police officer, a fact that shocked the community and underscored the gravity of his betrayal. The case demonstrated the police and Crown Prosecution Service’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago the crimes were committed, reaffirming their dedication to protecting vulnerable individuals and holding offenders accountable.