Former Spandau Ballet Frontman Faces Prison After Rape Conviction
A former lead singer of the iconic 1980s band Spandau Ballet is now confronting a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of serious sexual offences against two women. Ross Davidson, a 37-year-old musical theatre actor and aspiring songwriter who performed under the stage name Ross Wild, was found guilty on all charges following a trial at Wood Green Crown Court.
Guilty Verdicts After Lengthy Deliberation
Jurors took more than eleven hours to reach their unanimous decision, convicting Davidson of the rape of a woman in London during March 2015. He was also found guilty of the attempted rape and sexual assault of a second woman in Thailand in December 2019. Throughout the proceedings, Davidson, who resides in Finchley, north London, had maintained his innocence, insisting that all sexual encounters were entirely consensual.
Prosecutor Richard Hearnden presented a compelling case to the court, describing how Davidson, perceived by many as 'a bit of a sex symbol' with musical talent and charisma, harboured a 'much darker side'. Hearnden argued that Davidson operated under the belief he was entitled to 'sex on demand' and would resort to rape and sexual assault when he felt denied what he believed he deserved.
Disturbing Details of the Assaults Emerge in Court
The court heard harrowing testimony from the victims. The woman raped in London described waking up to find Davidson assaulting her while she was asleep in his bed, leaving her feeling 'helpless' and 'scared to react'. She recounted how Davidson had previously mentioned a disturbing interest in having sex with someone in a 'helpless state'. She also testified that he had placed her in a sex collar and wrist cuffs without her consent for approximately twenty minutes, an act that caused her confusion and shock.
The second victim, who was assaulted in Thailand, awoke in a hotel room to find Davidson attempting to have sex with her without permission or protection. She recalled having to calmly talk him down from the act, after which he reportedly said, 'thanks for being cool about it'. This incident occurred after a night of drunken consensual sex. The prosecution revealed that detectives discovered a secret video on Davidson's phone, filmed without her knowledge, showing him fondling her while she was asleep and snoring.
Davidson's Defence and Voyeurism Admission
In his defence, Davidson described himself as 'sex positive', advocating for open dialogue about sexual preferences, which he claimed could include bondage, restraint, or group sex. He denied all allegations of non-consensual activity, labelling the claims about the sex collar as an 'out-and-out lie'. He did, however, plead guilty to a separate charge of voyeurism related to the secret video found on his phone.
Regarding the video, Davidson admitted it was created for 'selfish reasons, for sexual gratification', claiming he had permission to touch the woman but not to film her. He expressed remorse to the jury, stating emotionally, 'I wish I had never done it.' The Thai victim strongly refuted any suggestion she consented to being touched while unconscious, telling the court, 'Why would I want a man to touch me when I am in a state of unconsciousness?'
Sentencing Awaits Following Further Hearing
With the guilty verdicts delivered, the case has been adjourned for a further hearing scheduled for February 4th at Wood Green Crown Court. This hearing is expected to set a date for sentencing, where Davidson will learn his fate. The convictions mark a dramatic fall from grace for the performer, who once shared the stage with Spandau Ballet bandmates and starred in the Queen musical We Will Rock You in London's West End.
