A former teacher has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing a student both at school and at his home. Gary Day-Davies, 55, from Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, was convicted of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault by touching of a child. The offences, which took place between 2006 and 2009, occurred when the victim was a pupil at a school in Salford where Day-Davies taught.
Abuse at School and Home
Some of the abuse happened on school premises, including in a classroom store cupboard and the library, according to a senior officer at Greater Manchester Police. Day-Davies also invited the victim to his home under the pretence of providing additional tuition, where he plied her with drugs and alcohol and sexually abused her.
Investigation and Trial
The investigation began after the victim came forward to police in 2022. During the trial, Day-Davies denied all charges and claimed that the survivor “must have just held a bit of a grudge” against him. However, the jury found him guilty on all counts.
Victim Impact Statement
In a statement read to the court, the victim expressed relief after the verdict. She said: “Since receiving the news of the guilty verdicts, I feel like an enormous weight was lifted off my shoulders. The emotional trauma bond that I have endured for the last 20 years has finally severed. I can eventually breathe and think for myself without constant fear of the consequences. I finally have justice – this is justice not for me as a child but now as an adult too.”
Police Response
Inspector Dave Ogden of Greater Manchester Police stated: “Day-Davies took advantage of the young age of the survivor to invite her to his home and sexually abuse her. He further sexually abused the survivor in the library and store cupboard in a classroom. Time is no barrier when it comes to being sexually abused – no matter how long ago it was, or how old you were at the time, we will listen to you. We will support you, investigate, and act robustly against perpetrators. We will take your allegations seriously and treat you with dignity and respect.”
Day-Davies was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.
