ROYDEN DAVIES SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN HENDY FOR DECADES OF ABUSE AGAINST CHILDREN

In April 2021, Royden Davies, a former soldier from Hendy, was handed a severe prison sentence of 22 years after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes committed against two young girls. The sentencing took place at Salisbury Crown Court, where Judge Peter Crabtree described Davies’ actions as a ruthless campaign of sexual abuse spanning nearly a decade, beginning in the mid-1960s.

Judge Crabtree expressed his disappointment in Davies’ lack of remorse, emphasizing the gravity of his offenses. He characterized the crimes as a series of sexual assaults, including rape, indecency with a child, and indecent assault, committed while Davies was serving in the British Army. The court heard harrowing details of the abuse, including a specific incident where one girl was raped in Warminster.

One of the victims, who chose to remain anonymous, delivered a powerful victim personal statement during the proceedings. She described the lasting trauma inflicted upon her, stating, “What happened to me was horrendous. It will never go away. No one can ever give me back my childhood.” She recounted how the memories continue to haunt her, triggered by everyday sounds or sudden noises, bringing her back to the terror she experienced as a young girl. She revealed that she often wakes up in the middle of the night, frozen with fear, convinced that her abuser might return. Her statement detailed the ongoing emotional toll, including nightmares, fear of darkness, and the need to seek comfort through eating. She expressed her desire for Davies to understand the pain he caused and emphasized her resilience, declaring, “I want him to know what he did to me was awful. I can relive what he did; it can be a noise or a door shutting or something takes me back.”

The second victim also shared her story, highlighting the long-term effects of Davies’ abuse. Her statement, read aloud by a family member, described suffering from insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, and feelings of worthlessness. She emphasized that the past 54 years have been exponentially worse than the initial abuse, stating, “I want Royden to know he will never hurt me again and I am not a victim, I am a survivor.”

It was revealed during the trial that the case only reached court after the victims urged prosecutors to reconsider their initial refusal to charge Davies. The Crown Prosecution Service had initially declined to pursue charges, but the victims’ persistence led to a review and subsequent prosecution.

Royden Davies, now aged 77, was convicted of these grave offenses and sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison. Due to the severity of his crimes, he will serve an additional year on license after his release. Furthermore, Davies will remain on the sex offender register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. His case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of his crimes and the long-lasting impact on his victims, highlighting the importance of justice for survivors of childhood abuse.