A former frontman for the iconic 80s band Spandau Ballet raped and sexually assaulted women because he believed he was entitled to 'sex on demand', a jury at Wood Green Crown Court has been told.
Allegations Against The 'Sex Symbol' Performer
Ross Davidson, a 37-year-old musical theatre actor and aspiring songwriter from Finchley, north London, performed under the stage name Ross Wild. He starred in the West End musical We Will Rock You and took on the role of singer for Spandau Ballet during a 2018 performance.
Prosecutor Richard Hearnden described Davidson as a 'bit of a sex symbol'—handsome, athletic, charming, and charismatic. However, the prosecution alleges that behind this facade lay a 'much darker side'. The court heard that Davidson's perceived attractiveness and status led him to expect sex whenever he wanted, and that he would resort to rape and assault if denied.
Details Of The Alleged Offences
Davidson has pleaded not guilty to the rape of a woman in March 2015 and the attempted rape and sexual assault of another woman in March and December 2019. He has, however, pleaded guilty to a single charge of voyeurism relating to filming the second alleged victim while she slept.
The court heard how the first woman met Davidson on the dating app Plenty of Fish in 2012. During a weekend stay in March 2015, she found his manner had become 'more assertive and, even, aggressive'. The prosecutor stated that Davidson once placed a sadomasochistic collar on her without consent, which she saw as an act of power and dominance.
She later awoke to find him raping her, feeling 'scared, intimidated, and helpless'. She left and never contacted him again, reporting the incident after experiencing a flashback years later.
The Second Alleged Victim And Secret Video
The second woman told the court she met Davidson on Tinder while travelling in Thailand. After what she described as 'drunk sex', she awoke to find him attempting to rape her, leaving her 'very afraid' in what felt like a 'very dangerous situation'.
During the police investigation, a video was discovered on Davidson's phone showing him touching this woman while she was asleep in Thailand. She stated she was unaware of the video's existence until informed by officers.
Davidson's defence, led by Charlotte Newell KC, claims there was no sexual activity with the first woman as he was not attracted to her. Regarding the second woman, the defence asserts the touching was consensual and that she was pretending to be asleep. Davidson admits she would be upset about the secret filming.
The trial continues at Wood Green Crown Court.
