A vile rapist labelled a ‘violent and manipulative bully’ has been found guilty of 25 offences including rape, assault, and coercion.
David Fury-Walsh, 31, also known as David Overton, claimed to be related to champion boxer Tyson Fury to attract women.
His victims say he initially came across as a caring and generous man before his behaviour drastically changed and he began to abuse and control them.
The offences against three women include 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.
Fury-Walsh, of Brook Street, Macclesfield, was found guilty after a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
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He’s been remanded in custody until his sentencing on Monday 6 February 2023.
Cheshire Constabulary first received reports that he had raped and assaulted a woman in September 2021 – he was arrested within hours.
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A violent and manipulative bully has been convicted of raping, assaulting and coercing three women.
David Fury-Walsh was found guilty of 25 offences on Wednesday 14 December following a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
Two other woman came forward with their own reports of abusive and controlling behaviour while Fury-Walsh was in custody.
He forced his victims to have sex on demand and violently assaulted them if he didn’t comply.
On two occasions, he forced his victims to eat their own faeces.
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Fury-Walsh also took out loans in the names of his victims, controlled their finances, and manipulated them into handing over their savings.
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.
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Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Cheshire Constabulary
Crime
Criminals who skip court sentencing hearings will now be ‘forced’ to attend or face more prison time
Emily Sergeant
Judges will now be able to hand down prison punishments for ‘cowardly’ criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing.
It’s been a long time coming… but for the first time ever, victims are set to be ‘better protected than ever before’ thanks to new measures across the UK justice system following the introduction of the Victims and Courts Bill yesterday (7 May).
Not only will they be forced to attend court, but with the understanding that those facing long sentences or Whole Life Orders may not necessarily be deterred solely by additional time behind bars, the Government has decided to give judges extra power to impose a range of prison sanctions on top of additional years on their sentence.
Government ministers said this is to ensure that ‘heinous criminals’ who refuse to attend can be ‘appropriately’ punished.
The Victims and Courts Bill will better protect victims of crime by introducing:
✔️ New powers for judges to punish offenders refusing to attend sentencing
The new Bill also extends the eligibility to all cases in the Crown Court too, which means that all offenders who attempt to ‘evade justice’ could be subject to tough sanctions, as well as up to two more years behind bars.
On top of this, offenders who have been ordered to attend by a judge, but whose disruptive and disrespectful behaviour results in their removal from the courtroom, will also be punishable by the same means.
To ensure the Government and other agencies are ‘held to account’ in delivering justice for victims, the Bill also bolsters the role of the Victims’ Commissioner, so under the new legislation, the Commissioner will be able to play a bigger role in individual cases that raise systemic issues.
For too long, cowardly criminals have got away with not facing their victims in court.
In opposition, I promised victims and families I would change that. Now, I am.
Our new measures will force offenders to attend their sentencing hearing – or face tougher penalties.
The aim of this measure is to ensure that ‘lessons are learned’ to benefit other victims or witnesses in the future.
“This Bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives,” commented Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood.
“There is still more work to do as we fix a justice system that was left on the brink of collapse, but this Bill is a step towards rebuilding victims’ confidence through our Plan for Change.”
Featured Image – Merseyside Police | Cheshire Police
Crime
Five retired GMP officers arrested following investigation into sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s
Emily Sergeant
Five retired police officers have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the arrests were made after months of detailed enquiries to identify suspects from allegations made by a woman – who was younger than 16 at the time when the offending began.
Some of the offenders are believed to be officers from a dedicated unit that worked to safeguard sex workers in Manchester at the time, according to GMP.
Three of the arrests were made after warrants were executed in Bolton, Bury, and Trafford last month, while the other two suspects were arrested this month.
The suspects – who are each between the ages of 73 and 81 – have been questioned on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct, and at this time, GMP says they are on conditional bail as police enquiries continue.
We’ve arrested five retired GMP officers as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 6, 2025
The victim involved is also being continuously supported by specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the investigation.
GMP said in a statement of intent that ‘no matter when abuse has taken place’ and ‘no matter who by’ either, the force is there to listen to and support victims, and take necessary action.
“We commend the woman’s courage for coming forward and supporting this investigation,” commented Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said.
“We do not underestimate how difficult it is for her to relive details of this horrendous abuse decades on from the time it was happening, and I’m sure the public will be as troubled as I am that five former officers are suspected of being involved in the abuse of a woman when she was a vulnerable child and adult who needed their protection.”
Five retired GMP officers have been arrested following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s / Credit: RawPixel
ACC Parker insisted that ‘no abuser is immune from justice’ and ‘time is no barrier’.
She continued: “The GMP of today is absolutely committed to ensuring victims are listened to and supported, regardless of who’s committed these offences and how long ago it occurred.
“Our investigation will go to all necessary lengths to uncover the full facts of these allegations and to ensure any offenders are rightly brought to justice.”
Anyone affected by this case, or who may have any relevant information, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting ‘Op Salvador’.