“Sadistic” ex-Spandau Ballet singer goes to prison after raping a woman and sexually abusing others

A “manipulative and sadistic” former singer of the Spandau Ballet faces a prison sentence for raping a woman and sexually abusing two other victims.

Ross William Wild, whose real name is Ross Davidson, showed no emotion as he was sentenced at London's Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday after standing trial for a series of sex offences dating from 2013 to 2023.

The court heard that sex addict Davidson, 36, wanted sex up to six times a night, forced himself on women who rejected him – and had a secret desire to film himself abusing women in their sleep.

Aberdeen-born Davidson was previously known for his leading role in the West End musical We Will Rock You before becoming lead singer of pop group Spandau Ballet in 2018.

Davidson, from Finchley, north London, was found guilty by the jury of raping the first woman and sexually assaulting the second and third women after the jury reached a majority verdict following nearly 12 hours of deliberation. He was also found guilty of voyeurism in relation to the fourth complainant.

They had also acquitted Davidson of the charge of controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to the fourth complainant.

Davidson denied all allegations and stated in court: “I have never raped, sexually abused or coerced a woman in my life.”

The defendant was remanded in custody until his verdict is announced on September 6.

Judge John Dodd warned Davidson: “You have been convicted in some very serious cases.”

Prosecutor Richard Hearnden had previously described Davidson as “a bit of a sex symbol” who had a “sinister” and “darker side”.

During the six-week trial, the prosecutor said: “It is often assumed that men like the defendant, who are blessed with good looks and star qualities, can have any girl they want without having to commit sexual crimes, without using violence against women or raping them.

“However, reality refutes this assumption. In this case, many young women have come forward and told the police that they were victims of Mr. Davidson's predatory behavior.

“Because he expects to get sex on demand, he resorts to rape and sexual abuse when he doesn't get what he believes he deserves.”

Davidon was “an extremely manipulative and sadistic person,” Hearnden said.

Davidson secretly filmed himself raping the first woman after an argument in his apartment on October 1, 2013, the court heard.

Jurors were told that Davidson sexually assaulted a second woman by groping her breasts.

He also told her that he had a “special fantasy” of having sex with a woman while she was sleeping.

She was “disgusted and dismayed” when she found out that he had filmed her too.

The prosecutor said a third woman was attacked in May 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival, where he secretly “caressed her breasts while she was fast asleep.”

The woman later identified herself using a screenshot from the video and was “devastated” by the discovery.

Jurors were told that a fourth woman testified that Davidson also filmed her giving him oral sex.

Davidson was arrested at his home on March 30, 2021.