In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Anthony Woodcock, then 41, and David Bellamy, then 46, were sentenced to a total of 38 years at York Crown Court. On Friday, 12 July 2019, the “depraved” couple, both of Byram, west of Selby, North Yorkshire, were jailed for a “campaign of rape” against a boy at their former home in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire.
The investigation established that Woodcock and Bellamy used the boy as a “sexual plaything” for their gratification over several years. The court heard that the pair groomed the victim from an early age, introducing him to tobacco, alcohol, and “popper” drugs as part of their “dissolute lifestyle.” The abuse frequently involved both men simultaneously and included the use of various sexual toys and exploitation in diverse locations, including a vehicle layby.
Judicial Findings and Victim Impact
Judge Andrew Stubbs QC emphasised that the couple’s actions represented a “vile” betrayal of trust. The prosecution reported that despite their involvement in running a village pantomime and performing charitable work, the pair were “persistent” predators who had “tainted and damaged” the victim’s childhood. The survivor, who bravely watched much of the trial from the public gallery, described suffering from nightmares and requiring anti-depressants since his mid-teens.
Following a six-day trial, a jury found the pair guilty of 21 sexual offences. Despite their claims in the witness box that they had never behaved inappropriately, the evidence detailed a “systematic” pattern of abuse. The convictions included:
- 16 counts of rape (shared between both defendants).
- Four counts of sexual assault.
- One count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For their “abhorrent” crimes in Sherburn-in-Elmet and Byram, North Yorkshire, the court handed down the following:
- Anthony Woodcock: 20 years in immediate custody with an additional year of extended supervision.
- David Bellamy: 18 years in immediate custody with an additional year of extended supervision.
- Sex Offenders Register: Both were placed on the register for life.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued to restrict their contact with children upon release.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Woodcock and Bellamy are managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by North Yorkshire Police. Their history of “calculating” grooming and the dual-offender nature of their crimes means their status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As lifetime members of the Sex Offenders Register, both men must comply with strict notification requirements regarding their address in Byram, Selby. Authorities state that the lengthy custodial terms reflect the “gravity” of the “campaign of rape” they orchestrated. Any breach of their registration conditions or their SHPO following their eventual release will result in their immediate return to York Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.