In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 51-year-old Richard Davenport—a former school governor—was released from prison following a “vile” campaign of serial child abuse against his own younger sister. The investigation established that the strikes occurred over a period of six years at the former family home in Halesowen, West Midlands. The prosecution reported that Davenport targeted his sister when she was aged between 7 and 12, violating the safety of the domestic environment and the principles of human decency.
The investigation established that Davenport’s predatory strikes only ceased when the victim’s periods began, as he reportedly feared he might get her pregnant. The prosecution reported that Davenport has never shown any remorse and prioritised his own self-preservation by forcing his sister to relive the trauma by giving evidence at a trial. Despite his pleas of not guilty to two charges of raping a girl under 13 and five charges of indecent assault, it took a jury just under two and a half hours to deliver a unanimous guilty verdict.
JUDICIAL FINDINGS AND SENTENCE REDUCTION
The court reported that Davenport’s behaviour represented a catastrophic betrayal of trust, particularly given his professional role as a school governor. The investigation established that he was originally sentenced to 14 years in 2015; however, an appeal court later reduced this term to 10 years. The prosecution reported that this reduction facilitated his early release in 2020, and he is now believed to be residing within the West Midlands area under strict post-release supervision.
Judge-led proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court in 2015 concluded that Davenport’s actions identified him as a dangerous individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the safety and human rights of a child. For his actions in Halesowen and the nature of the serial sexual violence reported, Davenport was incarcerated. The investigation established that since his release in 2020, he is subject to lifelong notification requirements to ensure he never again has access to vulnerable groups or positions of authority in education.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial records as of 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Rape of a child under 13 x2; Indecent assault x5).
- Custodial Status: RELEASED (In 2020, following a sentence reduction from 14 to 10 years).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- SHPO Status: Active FOR LIFE (Imposing permanent prohibitions on holding any position in a school or regulated activity with children).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court; monitored by West Midlands Police.
- Criminal Record: Former school governor who raped and abused his own sister for 6 years; Stopped only due to fear of pregnancy; Forced victim to testify; Released in 2020.
- Origin: Halesowen, West Midlands.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Davenport is managed as a Category 1 high-risk offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Level 3 in the West Midlands. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically his “serial” history of targeting a child within his own family and his previous role as a school governor—he is a priority for the most intensive level of community supervision. Authorities reported that the 2020 release ensures Davenport is permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to hold a position of trust or work in schools in Halesowen or elsewhere will be blocked.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Davenport’s behaviour identifies an individual who violated the human rights and safety of a defenceless family member. Any failure by Davenport to adhere to his notification requirements or his strict licence conditions upon release will result in immediate police intervention and a potential return to prison to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has repeatedly violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was a “Former School Governor” who abused his own sister, do you believe the law should legally mandate that any individual convicted of familial child abuse should be automatically ineligible for any sentence reduction or appeal?
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