News Beat
County Durham predator David Greaves died in HMP Rye Hill
The prison service has confirmed that David Greaves, 42, previously of Wansbeck Close in Spennymoor, died in HMP Rye Hill on January 15, 18 months after he was jailed for 15 years in July 2024.
Durham Crown Court heard the woman had been put into a taxi by a friend after a birthday night out and the driver was instructed to take her straight home. Instead, a journey that should have taken between five and ten minutes lasted almost an hour.
Prosecutor Paul Cleasby told the court Greaves took advantage of the victim’s “extremely vulnerable state” and drove her to a secluded cemetery car park where he carried out a sexual attack.
The woman was so intoxicated she had no memory of what happened and was helped to bed by a family member when she was dropped home. She later contacted police after waking with internal soreness and fears she had been taken advantage of.
Greaves accepted he had sexual intercourse with her but claimed it was consensual, describing what Mr Cleasby said was a “long-running sexual encounter” and portraying the woman as an “enthusiastic” participant.
The jury rejected his account and convicted him of rape.
At sentencing Judge Jo Kidd told Greaves: “I take the view that you continue to hold a thoroughly delusional and incorrect view of the predatory rape you carried out on the victim in this case.”
She said his victim’s vulnerabilities “couldn’t have been more obvious to you” and described the attack as a sustained incident involving an element of abduction.
Judge Kidd imposed an extended sentence of 15 years with a 12 year custodial term and a three year licence period. Greaves was required to serve at least eight years before being eligible for consideration for release by the Parole Board.
He was also made subject to an unlimited restraining order, lifetime sex offender notification and barred from ever working with children or vulnerable adults.
Reading the victim impact statement, the court heard the rape had “changed my life forever”, leaving her with panic attacks, depression, nightmares and major trust issues.
Judge Kidd thanked the victim and her family for the “dignity and courage” they showed during the proceedings.
Greaves died at HMP Rye Hill while serving his sentence. An investigation into his death will now take place.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “HMP Rye Hill prisoner David Greaves died on 15 January 2026. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
