DAVINA AYRTON FROM FORDINGBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN HAMPSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Fordingbridge and the wider Hampshire area, Davina Ayrton, formerly known as David Ayrton, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving a teenage girl and the possession of indecent images of children. The incidents span several years and have brought to light disturbing details about her life and actions.

Back in 2004, Ayrton, then a 23-year-old man, engaged in a sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl. The attack took place in a garage, where Ayrton and the victim had met after she had run away from home. According to court reports, the girl was drinking with Ayrton and two friends that evening. During the assault, the girl desperately shouted and screamed for Ayrton to stop, but her pleas went unheard. She also attempted to wake her sleeping friends and boyfriend nearby, but was unsuccessful. The trauma of this event has left lasting scars on her victim, who later described her feelings of fear and hysteria, stating, "As the years have passed, I have never forgotten the incident, how he forced himself on me, I was hysterical and I lived in fear all the time. I thought I was a real tough cookie but clearly I wasn't."

It was only in January 2014 that the crime came to light publicly, after a care worker reported that Ayrton had confessed to the assault. During her confession, she also revealed that she considered herself a "paedophile" and expressed awareness that she had "always known there was something wrong with me and I need help." This confession prompted further investigation, leading to her trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

At the court, Ayrton denied the assault, but the jury found her guilty. Judge Ian Pearson described the rape as "traumatic" and emphasized that the victim would carry the emotional scars for life. As a result of her conviction, Ayrton was sentenced to eight years in prison and was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life. The judge also indicated that Ayrton would likely serve her sentence in a male prison, specifically Winchester, Hampshire, due to her gender identity and the circumstances of her case.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Ayrton has learning difficulties and was residing at Heywood Sumner House care home in Fordingbridge at the time of her arrest. She also has a history of mental health issues, including an attempted suicide last summer. In her evidence, Ayrton stated she had not undergone any physical modifications or taken medication related to her gender transition, which she officially changed in 2012. She also has a son, and her past includes a conviction for possessing indecent images of children at Bournemouth Crown Court in January 2014.

The court further learned that Ayrton had met the victim and her friends on an evening in autumn 2004, during which they went drinking in a garage equipped with a sofa and chairs. The victim recounted her experience, saying she screamed and shouted at Ayrton to stop, but her cries were ignored. The case was brought to light after a care worker, in January 2014, reported Ayrton’s confession and her admission of being a "paedophile" who had "always known there was something wrong with me and I need help."

In addition to her sexual offense, Ayrton’s criminal record includes a conviction for possessing nearly 4,500 indecent images of children, mostly of low-grade content, which she downloaded while residing at a care home in Fordingbridge. The images ranged from children aged three to fourteen, with one rated as level four, the second most serious category. Prosecutor Heather Shimmen highlighted that Ayrton, who was under a mental health order and monitored by staff, was found with these images during a routine check. The court imposed a three-year community order, including supervision and a sexual offences prevention order, with conditions such as police monitoring of her electronic devices. Ayrton was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and pay a victim surcharge of £60.

Judge Harrow expressed concern over Ayrton’s ability to evade detection, noting her cleverness in downloading the images while under supervision. He emphasized the seriousness of her actions, stating, "This is a serious case and a vile deed. People make money out of creating these images, which have a devastating effect on these children. It is easy for someone thousands of miles away to feel remote, but there are victims who suffer, and people like you are feeding this vicious trade." The court acknowledged the complexity of her case and the need for appropriate detention measures, given her mental health and risk factors. Protocols have been put in place for her detention at a male prison in Winchester, Hampshire, where she will serve her sentence.

Overall, the case of Davina Ayrton has highlighted disturbing issues surrounding mental health, gender identity, and the protection of vulnerable victims. The community of Fordingbridge and the wider Hampshire area will undoubtedly be affected by the revelations and the subsequent legal proceedings, which underscore the importance of vigilance and justice in cases of sexual violence and exploitation.