Two British women have spoken out about their harrowing experiences testifying at a US military court martial, detailing the trauma they endured during allegations of rape against an American airman based in Suffolk. Rebecca, then 20, immediately contacted police after allegedly fleeing her attacker's home in June 2020, reporting a violent sexual assault and providing evidence including her phone and laptop.
Initial investigations by Suffolk police were subsequently handed over to the US Air Force just 20 days into the inquiry, allowing the case to be tried under military jurisdiction on the US base at RAF Lakenheath. This decision meant that Tyrion Davis, a 22-year-old senior airman stationed in Suffolk, would not face prosecution under British law but instead be tried by his peers.
The trial in June 2022 saw allegations expand to include claims from Davis's estranged wife, Emily – also a British woman. Both women spoke candidly about their experiences and highlighted the perceived injustice of being tried before a jury comprising solely military personnel, which Rebecca likened to having colleagues sit on a jury for an out-of-work offence.
Despite maintaining that all encounters were consensual, Davis was convicted of sexually assaulting Emily by penetrating her without consent. He was acquitted on ten further counts of sexual assault and abusive contact against both women, as well as two counts of assault. The classification of this specific offence – non-consensual penetrative sex – has raised questions about why it was categorised as a lesser charge under military law.
As the case highlights the complexities surrounding jurisdictional disputes when US personnel are accused of crimes on UK soil, concerns have been raised about fairness and victim support within cross-border arrangements. The decision to cede control to the US Air Force left the women navigating an unfamiliar legal process that differed significantly from what they would expect in a British court.