North London man sentenced to 14 years for string of sexual offences

A sex offender from Finchley who covertly recorded his crimes has been sentenced to 14 years, after Met Police officers used the material to identify victims.

Ross Davidson, 38 (24.02.88), of Station Road, Finchley, was jailed on Thursday, 30 April at Wood Green Crown Court following two trials. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

In July 2024 Davidson was found guilty of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and voyeurism. During the second trial in January 2026, Davidson pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and was later found guilty by the jury of one further count of sexual assault, one count of attempted rape and one count of rape.

The offences relate to six victim-survivors. Three of them have spoken out, reflecting on their experience and encouraging other victims of sexual offences to come forward.

One victim-survivor said:

“Speaking out about sexual violence is not easy. It can feel overwhelming, frightening, and at times isolating. However, I hope that by coming forward, I have shown that it is possible to be heard and that what happened matters.

“I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to know that they are not alone, and that support is available. Reporting what happened can feel daunting, but there are people who will listen and take you seriously.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Metropolitan Police for their professionalism, support, and dedication throughout this investigation. Their efforts have made a significant difference during an incredibly difficult time.”

Another victim-survivor added:

“The support I received made a real difference in helping me feel safe throughout the process. My previous experience left me unsure about coming forward, so to feel listened to and supported by a great team this time around meant a lot. Seeing Ross accountable is an important moment for me, and I hope it encourages others who have experienced something similar to feel able to speak up and seek support.”

A further victim-survivor shared:

“Ross was finally charged around June 2022. Throughout the police investigation, although regularly updated, it has been a very long process. I hoped that he would have been honest and pleaded guilty to what he had done to me; but deep down I expected that he wouldn’t and this would mean attending court and giving evidence. This effectively caused me to put my life on hold.”

Davidson was initially arrested on 1 May 2019 at his home on the grounds of a separate offence for which he was not subsequently charged. However, his digital devices were seized at the point of the arrest. When examining the devices, officers uncovered multiple videos of Davidson raping and sexually assaulting victims, leading to him being charged with 17 sexual offences on 24 June 2022 including one rape.

Following the proactive identification of victims featured in the recovered footage, and further victim-survivors coming forward after media coverage of the initial charges, officers received additional reports. On 6 July 2024, he was charged with a further three counts of serious sexual offending.

Detective Constable Kamila Kedadrova, who was part of investigation team, said:

“I am incredibly grateful for the continued support from victims throughout the investigation and court process, which has undoubtably aided today’s outcome.

“Our dedicated team of officers, who identified, contacted, and provided support to victims, have handled the case with sensitivity and thoroughness over the past six years.

“The Met remains committed to securing justice for victims of sexual offences, no matter when they occurred. Over the past five years, we have more than tripled arrests and charges for rape and serious sexual offences.

“Today’s outcome reflects our mission of taking all reports seriously, while ensuring victims are treated with the upmost respect and care.”

One victim-survivor reported to police that in 2013 Davidson sexually assaulted and raped her after an evening together. Davidson raped her, ignoring her cries for him to stop, all of which he recorded on his phone.

The second and third victim-survivors were identified after recorded footage was discovered by police following Davidson’s initial arrest. The separate recordings showed both victims being sexually assaulted in their sleep.

The fourth victim-survivor came forward in January 2023, after recognising Davidson’s name in the news. She reported that she had woken up to find herself being raped by Davidson, while staying with him at an address in London in March 2015. Working with the victim to record her statement, officers were able to evidence she had been assaulted.

The fifth victim-survivor was traced by Met detectives who were able to identify the woman. After specially trained officers contacted the victim, she was supported to make a report which detailed further offences, including an attempted rape while she was sleeping.

Julie Currie, Victim Navigator Programme Manager at Justice & Care, a charity which offers support for victims of exploitation who are pursuing justice, said:

“Survivors of sexual violence face immense barriers to seeking justice, from fear and intimidation to prolonged court delays. This conviction is a testament to the bravery of the survivors and to the importance of specialist, trauma‑informed support that prioritises safety, choice and dignity at every stage of the justice process.”

The Met has recorded significant year‑on‑year increases in reporting of sexual offences, suggesting more victims feel able to come forward. The Met is committed to improving victim experiences at every stage within an investigation, recently committing to a £10 million upgrade programme of the suites used to carry out VRIs (video recorded interviews) across its estates. As one of a number of ongoing projects to improve the experiences of victims, the spaces will allow officers to record sensitive victim interviews to be replayed in court and inform an investigation.