Ross Davidson, who used the stage name Ross Wild, was jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of raping a woman in London in 2015 and the attempted rape and sexual assault of another woman in Thailand in 2019
Simon Hamalienko Publishing Lead and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
15:23, 30 Apr 2026
Ross Davidson was once the singer in Spandau Ballet(Image: WireImage,)
A former Spandau Ballet singer has been handed a 14-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape.
Ross Davidson, 37, who performed under the stage name Ross Wild, appeared in the Queen-themed West End musical We Will Rock You and fronted legendary 1980s band Spandau Ballet as lead singer in 2018.
A jury at Wood Green Crown Court found him guilty of raping a woman in London in 2015, as well as the attempted rape and sexual assault of a second woman in Thailand in 2019.
The Aberdeen-born musical theatre actor and singer carried out the assaults because he believed he was entitled to “sex on demand”, the court was told.
Davidson had denied all charges, including the rape of a woman in London in March 2015 and the attempted rape and sexual assault of another woman in Thailand in December 2019, insisting all sexual activity was consensual.
Prosecutor Richard Hearnden described Davidson as “a bit of a sex symbol”, but both women alleged he had “a much darker side that they did not notice, at least at first”, reports the Daily Star.
Despite his considerable success, it was Davidson’s sense of entitlement to “sex on demand” that drove him to commit rape and sexual assault when he felt his desires went unmet, Mr Hearnden told the court.
Steve Norman, Martin Kemp and Ross Davidson performing on stage(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Davidson had met both women through the Tinder dating app and maintained throughout the trial that all sexual encounters were consensual. He described himself as “sex positive”, telling the court this was about “open dialogue, open-mindedness about people’s predilections, just an openness to trying different sexual appetites”. This included bondage, restraint, and group sex, and he had “once or twice” attended a sex party. The rape victim told the jury that Davidson attacked her while she was asleep in his bed, recalling feeling “helpless” and “scared to react”.
Prior to the assault, Davidson had “mentioned he liked the idea of having sex with a mannequin, a person in a helpless state, someone not moving”.
The charges relate to six victim-survivors, three of whom have spoken publicly, reflecting on their ordeals and urging other victims of sexual offences to come forward.
One victim-survivor said: “Speaking out about sexual violence is not easy. It can feel overwhelming, frightening, and at times isolating. However, I hope that by coming forward, I have shown that it is possible to be heard and that what happened matters.
“I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to know that they are not alone, and that support is available. Reporting what happened can feel daunting, but there are people who will listen and take you seriously.
“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Metropolitan Police for their professionalism, support, and dedication throughout this investigation. Their efforts have made a significant difference during an incredibly difficult time.”
Another victim-survivor added: “The support I received made a real difference in helping me feel safe throughout the process. My previous experience left me unsure about coming forward, so to feel listened to and supported by a great team this time around meant a lot. Seeing Ross accountable is an important moment for me, and I hope it encourages others who have experienced something similar to feel able to speak up and seek support.”
Davidson was found guilty in January this year(Image: PA)
A further victim-survivor shared: “Ross was finally charged around June 2022. Throughout the police investigation, although regularly updated, it has been a very long process. I hoped that he would have been honest and pleaded guilty to what he had done to me; but deep down I expected that he wouldn’t and this would mean attending court and giving evidence. This effectively caused me to put my life on hold.”
Davidson was initially detained on 1 May 2019 at his home in connection with a separate offence for which he was not subsequently charged. However, his electronic devices were confiscated at the time of his arrest. Upon examination of the devices, officers discovered multiple recordings of Davidson raping and sexually assaulting victims, which led to him being charged with 17 sexual offences on 24 June 2022, including one count of rape. Following the proactive identification of victims featured in the recovered footage, and further victim-survivors coming forward after media coverage of the initial charges, officers received additional reports. On 6 July 2024, he was charged with a further three counts of serious sexual offending.
Detective Constable Kamila Kedadrova, who was part of the investigation team, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the continued support from victims throughout the investigation and court process, which has undoubtable aided today’s outcome.
“Our dedicated team of officers, who identified, contacted, and provided support to victims, have handled the case with sensitivity and thoroughness over the past six years.
“The Met remains committed to securing justice for victims of sexual offences, no matter when they occurred. Over the past five years, we have more than tripled arrests and charges for rape and serious sexual offences.
“Today’s outcome reflects our mission of taking all reports seriously, while ensuring victims are treated with the upmost respect and care.”
One victim-survivor reported to police that in 2013 Davidson sexually assaulted and raped her following an evening spent together. Davidson raped her, disregarding her pleas for him to stop, recording the entire ordeal on his phone. The second and third victim-survivors were identified after recorded footage was uncovered by police following Davidson’s initial arrest. The separate recordings showed both victims being sexually assaulted in their sleep.
The fourth victim-survivor came forward in January 2023, after recognising Davidson’s name in the news. She reported that she had woken up to find herself being raped by Davidson, while staying with him at an address in London in March 2015. Working alongside the victim to document her statement, officers were able to establish evidence that she had been assaulted.
The fifth victim-survivor was tracked down by Met detectives who were able to identify the woman. After specially trained officers made contact with the victim, she was supported in making a report which outlined further offences, including an attempted rape while she was sleeping.
Julie Currie, Victim Navigator Programme Manager at Justice and Care, a charity which provides support for victims of exploitation who are pursuing justice, said: “Survivors of sexual violence face immense barriers to seeking justice, from fear and intimidation to prolonged court delays.
“This conviction is a testament to the bravery of the survivors and to the importance of specialist, trauma‐informed support that prioritises safety, choice and dignity at every stage of the justice process.” T
he Met has seen notable year-on-year rises in the reporting of sexual offences, indicating that more victims are feeling confident enough to come forward. The Met is dedicated to enhancing the experience of victims at every stage of an investigation, having recently pledged a £10 million upgrade programme of the suites used to conduct VRIs (video recorded interviews) across its estates.
As part of a series of ongoing initiatives to improve victim experiences, the revamped spaces will enable officers to record sensitive victim interviews that can be replayed in court and used to inform an investigation.