A violent and manipulative bully has been found guilty of raping, assaulting and coercing three women.
David Fury-Walsh, also known as David Overton, was found guilty of 25 offences on Wednesday 14 December following a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
The offences included 13 counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, three counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, three counts of actual bodily harm, one count of sexual touching and possession of a knife.
The 31-year-old, formally of Brook Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, has been remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on Monday 6 February 2023 for sentencing.
The case against Fury-Walsh began in September 2021 when Cheshire Constabulary received reports that he had raped and assaulted a woman.
Fury-Walsh was arrested within hours of the report, and while he was in custody two other women became aware of his arrest and built up the courage to report that they were also victims of his abusive and controlling behaviour.
The victims all told police how when they initially met Fury-Walsh he was a caring and generous man, who told his victims that he was a relative of the boxing champion Tyson Fury.
However, his behaviour quickly changed, and he began to abuse and control the women.
Fury-Walsh forced his victims to have sex on demand, violently assaulting them if they didn’t comply with his wishes. On two occasions he even forced his victims to eat their own faeces.
He also controlled the women’s finances, taking out loans in their names and manipulating them into handing over their savings on the promise that there would be a big return, which never emerged.
Following the reports officers from Cheshire Constabulary built up a case file of evidence against Fury-Walsh and charged him with a total of 25 offences.
Following the verdict, Detective Constable Jade Bannerman, who led the investigation said:
“Firstly I would like to thank the victims for the courage and bravery that they have shown throughout this investigation.
“Fury-Walsh is a violent and manipulative bully, and even when faced with all the evidence against him, he refused to plead guilty to any of the charges.
“Instead, he forced his victims to relive their experiences in court, which could not have been easy for them.
“Thankfully, as a result of the statements provided by the victims, and the evidence we gathered the jury have seen through his lies and he is now being held accountable for his actions.”
Detective Inspector Robert Lees of Eastern CID added:
“This has been an extremely complex investigation and I would like to commend DC Bannerman for her dedication and commitment throughout the case. I would also like to thank all of the other officers involved in the investigation.
“Nobody should have to experience what any of these women have been though and if anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.
“Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.
“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”
To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences.
Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
