Former Spandau Ballet Frontman Ross Davidson Sentenced to 14 Years for Rape and Sexual Assault
Ross Davidson, the former lead singer of Spandau Ballet, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison following a series of convictions for rape and sexual assault. The 38-year-old musician, who also performed under the stage names Ross Wild and Ross William Wild, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court after a string of allegations involving six different women.
The court heard how Davidson targeted victims between August 2013 and December 2019, often exploiting their trust during a period when his musical and stage career was rapidly ascending.
Details of the Convictions
Davidson was found guilty across two separate trials of a range of serious offenses. His convictions include:
- Two counts of rape
- One count of attempted rape
- Three counts of sexual assault
- Two charges of voyeurism
The prosecution provided evidence that some of the assaults were captured on video. According to prosecutor Richard Hearnden, videos recovered from Davidson’s phone showed “strikingly similar” incidents in which the singer touched women while they were asleep. Hearnden stated that the victims were “as vulnerable as can be,” remaining in “such a deep sleep that they could not be disturbed” during the attacks. In one instance, Davidson filmed himself raping a woman.
Judge’s Remarks and Sentencing
During the sentencing, Judge John Dodd KC, the Recorder of Haringey, condemned Davidson’s behavior as “wholly disgraceful.” The judge noted that while Davidson was seen by the public as a charismatic figure during the growth of his career, he was simultaneously treating women “without respect.”
Judge Dodd highlighted that Davidson possessed an “adventurous attitude to matters sexually” and pointed out that some of the victims had cared for or loved him. The judge further remarked that the six victims provided evidence “vividly and without exaggeration” regarding how Davidson had “abused” their trust.
Defense and Victim Impact
Throughout the trial, the Aberdeen-born singer, who resides in Finchley, north London, denied the charges. Davidson described himself as “sex positive” and argued that all sexual contact with the women had been consensual.
However, the impact on the victims was profound. Victim impact statements shared in court detailed ongoing trauma; one woman described Davidson’s actions as “unforgivable,” while another stated that her life had been “permanently changed.”
Career Background
Before his conviction, Davidson had established a presence in the music and theater worlds. He starred in the West Conclude musical We Will Rock You, based on the music of Queen, and served as the lead singer for the 1980s pop group Spandau Ballet in 2018.
- Sentence: 14 years in prison.
- Charges: Rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and voyeurism.
- Victims: Six women targeted between 2013 and 2019.
- Evidence: Phone videos showing assaults on sleeping victims.
- Court: Wood Green Crown Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ross Davidson?
Ross Davidson (also known as Ross Wild or Ross William Wild) is a singer and actor who performed as the frontman for Spandau Ballet in 2018 and appeared in the West End production of We Will Rock You.
What was the timeframe of the offenses?
The offenses committed against the six women occurred over a six-year period, stretching from August 2013 to December 2019.
What evidence was used in the trial?
The prosecution relied heavily on videos recovered from Davidson’s phone, which depicted the singer touching women while they were in a deep sleep, as well as the vivid testimony of the six victims.