A serving police sergeant has appeared before a district judge accused of raping a woman on three occasions while he was on duty more than a decade ago.
David Stansbury, 42, faces charges of three offences of rape that allegedly took place in Plymouth, Devon, in 2009 and were reported to police in 2020.
He appeared before district judge Lynne Matthews, who was sitting at Bristol magistrates court, on Wednesday.
Matthews told Stansbury, who wore a dark suit and tie, to stand in the glass-fronted dock as she confirmed his personal details. He spoke only to give his name, date of birth and his address in the Somerset town of Ilminster.
The court was told the three alleged offences took place between 23 October and 30 November 2009.
Matthews said the alleged offences would have to be dealt with at crown court and said he would next appear before a judge in Bristol on 10 May. Stansbury did not enter any pleas.
Matthews gave Stansbury unconditional bail but told him if he did not appear at court next month a warrant for his arrest could be issued.
Stansbury was an officer in Devon and Cornwall between 2009 and 2011. He is now a Hertfordshire police officer and is suspended from duty.
In a statement issued before the court appearance, Devon and Cornwall police said: “A former Devon and Cornwall police officer is due to appear before … magistrates charged with rape. David Stansbury is charged with three counts of rape of a woman aged 16 years or over.
“The charges relate to alleged incidents in Plymouth in 2009, whilst he was on duty, and have been under investigation since being reported to Devon and Cornwall police in September 2020.”
A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: “If you have any information that you feel may assist this investigation, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling freephone 0800 555 111.”
