PETER DAVIDSON SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR ABUSE IN BUCKFASTLEIGH AND ERPINGHAM

In a case that has spanned decades, Peter Davidson, a 73-year-old man, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Plymouth Crown Court for the sexual abuse of a young girl in Buckfastleigh during the late 1980s. The heinous acts, which occurred more than twenty years ago, have finally been brought to justice, highlighting the perseverance of the victim and the judicial process.

During the trial, the victim, now a married mother, bravely attended to recount the profound and lasting impact of Davidson’s actions. She described her ongoing struggles with flashbacks and sleepless nights, revealing the deep emotional scars left by the abuse. In her statement to the court, she expressed her desire for liberation from the pain, stating, “I feel like the abuse has held me captive and want to be free of it.”

Davidson was found guilty by a jury of charges including indecent assault and indecency with a child. The judge, Paul Darlow, remarked on the circumstances of the abuse, noting that Davidson exploited the girl during episodes of night terrors while she was in bed. The judge emphasized the long-lasting suffering of the victim, stating, “She has clearly suffered for the tens of years that have elapsed. She still lives with the pain of what happened to her. It is only since 2014 that she has been able to turn to counselling.”

Judge Darlow also acknowledged the emotional toll of the trial on the victim, who was required to relive her traumatic experiences in court, describing it as “pain and humiliation.” Davidson, who has resided in Erpingham, Norfolk, for many years, had denied the charges, pleading not guilty to five counts of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. However, after a week-long trial, the jury reached a unanimous verdict, convicting him on two counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency. The jury acquitted him of three other counts after deliberating for over three hours.

Throughout the proceedings, Davidson maintained a composed demeanor, dressed smartly and wearing a hearing loop in the dock, showing little reaction as the verdicts were read out. The Crown Prosecution Service’s representative, Bathsheba Cassell, recounted the victim’s initial feelings of isolation and shame, stating, “The initial impact of the abuse was a total sense of isolation and loneliness. I did not know what to do or say, or how to feel.”

The victim further described her ongoing emotional struggles, including feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and difficulty trusting others. She shared that she believed her pain would diminish over time, but as an adult, she recognized the severity of Davidson’s actions and the lasting damage they caused. Her testimony underscored the importance of justice and the courage it took to confront her abuser after so many years.