COVENTRY MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES

A man named David Blackstock, aged 57 and residing on Harnall Lane West in Coventry, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against children in Southampton and Coventry. Blackstock was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, January 24, of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and four counts of indecent assault. The case stemmed from a report in August 2020, where the victim, now in her 40s, disclosed that Blackstock had raped her when she was 13 years old, and he was 29. The victim recounted that Blackstock had initially misrepresented his age as 19 during their first meeting in 1996, but she discovered his real age within months when he received 30th birthday cards. Throughout their relationship, she endured controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior from Blackstock. Although Blackstock pleaded not guilty, a jury convicted him on August 19, 2024, following a trial. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order were imposed in relation to the victim. Detective Sergeant Lisa Robins from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary led the investigation and commented on the long, complex nature of Blackstock’s offending. She praised the victim’s bravery and urged others who have experienced abuse to come forward and report it, assuring them of support and confidentiality. The police also provided contact information for reporting crimes and accessing support services.