Key facts
- Two British women have accused US airman Tyrion Davis of sexual assault and rape.
- Davis was prosecuted in a US military trial at RAF Lakenheath after Suffolk police ceded jurisdiction.
- Davis was convicted of sexually assaulting his estranged wife, Emily, but acquitted of other charges.
- One accuser, Rebecca, expressed concern that the jury was composed of Davis's military peers.
- The transfer of jurisdiction was presented as a faster route to justice compared to the UK system.
Two British women have detailed their harrowing experiences of accusing a US airman, Tyrion Davis, of sexual assault and rape, and the subsequent US military trial. Rebecca alleged she was raped by Davis, a US airman based at RAF Lakenheath, in June 2020. Following an investigation by Suffolk police, jurisdiction over the case was ceded to the US air force, leading to a court martial at the base.
Davis was ultimately convicted of sexually assaulting his estranged wife, Emily, but acquitted of multiple other charges involving both women. Rebecca and Emily shared their distress over the allegations and the court martial process, particularly Rebecca's concern that the jury consisted entirely of Davis's military peers, rather than members of the public. She questioned the fairness of such a panel, comparing it to having only nursing colleagues on a jury for a case involving a nurse.
Rebecca recounted the alleged attack, describing being violently assaulted by Davis at his home after seeking temporary accommodation. She detailed the physical injuries she sustained, including bruises and bite marks, and her fear during the assault. She also described the difficulties in preserving evidence, including an initial report that rape kits were unavailable at a local police station.
Both women were reportedly told that a US military trial would offer a quicker resolution than the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), with estimates suggesting a six-month timeline for the court martial versus a minimum of two years for a CPS prosecution. This promise of speed, coupled with concerns about Davis potentially fleeing the UK, influenced the decision to transfer jurisdiction. The women also noted the potential for more immediate support services offered by the US military compared to NHS waiting lists.