Bristol man handed life sentence for sexual offences
David Stutt from Wade Street admitted 10 offences including rape dating back to 1978
A man from Bristol who's admitted serious sexual offences against several women dating back to 1978, has been jailed for life.
David Stutt from Wade Street will serve a minimum of 13 years and four months behind bars after admitting 10 offences including rape, spanning 40 years.
Stutt first became known to police when a report against him was made in December 2021; he voluntarily attended a police station two days later.
The initial allegation was that he had raped and committed other sexual offences against a victim over more than 10 years.
He was charged in February of this year after additional victims came forward with offences dating back to the 70s.
Sentencing Stutt, Judge Picton described him as "truly a monster", saying the case was "so awful" it stood out from the norm.
One of the victims said: “On that day when I received the phone call saying David Stutt had been arrested, I felt the glass floor that I’d been walking on for over 45 years crack and shatter.
"I could breathe in for the first time knowing my life in hiding the secret was over, no more pushing it down into the ground and pretending it didn’t matter, I didn’t matter.
"I was forced to continually lie to and mistrust everyone around me because if they found out the truth, would they believe me?
"I was told they’d never believe me over him.
"He had everyone under his manipulative control one way or another.
"I hope that I can now move forward with my life, speak openly about my ordeal, and begin to live my life out of the shadows that clung to me for so many years.”
Detective Constable Shelly Bennett who worked on the case says all the victims have been "extremely courageous".
“Stutt is a dangerous man who took advantage of those closest to him," DC Bennett said.
"His offending was motivated solely by his own needs, and he has shown no remorse throughout the proceedings.
"I want to encourage any victim of sexual offences to report any concerns to police, where their report will be investigated to its fullest.”
If you are a victim of sexual assault or rape, recent or non-recent, you can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7, 365 days a year.
You can visit their website here or call them 0117 342 6999.
Alternatively there is lots more support available from the End Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition, here.