53-year-old David Gray, who raped and sexually abused a young girl over several years, during which the child believed she was in a relationship with him, has been warned to expect a very long prison sentence.
Gray, of Gunville Road in Newport, was found guilty of all 5 charges against him following a trial at the Isle of Wight Crown Court this week, with the jury returning its verdicts this morning (Friday).
The court heard disturbing details of the abuse, including a so-called ‘promise ring’, daily messages between Gray and the child, and occasions when he collected her from school.
Police also discovered personal belongings of the victim in Gray’s bedroom, which he had kept for years, during a search in 2025. These items included underwear, razors, a payslip and hair clippings.
Gray had denied 2 counts of rape of a child under 13 and 3 counts of sexual activity with a child, relating to offences committed between February 2009 and February 2013 – when he was in his 30s.
The trial, which began on Monday (2nd November), heard how Gray had exploited the vulnerability of the victim during her childhood.
Jurors were shown a video-recorded police interview from February 2025 in which the victim, now an adult, described the sexual abuse she suffered over several years.
During the interview, she explained how she had initially believed she was in a relationship with Gray, before coming to realise that what was happening was not normal.
Following the guilty verdicts, His Honour Judge Ashworth warned Gray to “anticipate a very long prison sentence”.
David Gray has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on 22nd January 2027.
