A retired fire chief who spent three years in jail after police believed a fantasist’s lies about historic sex abuse has slammed his 20-month wait for compensation.
David Bryant, 69, was declared innocent and released from jail in 2016 after his accuser Danny Day was exposed as a serial liar.
He had alleged that Mr Bryant raped him at a fire station in 1977 when he was aged 14.
In 2012, Day posted Mr Bryant a threatening letter stating he was going to the police with this claims, writing: ‘I think it is time you and me have a chat.
‘I think it is in your interest to call. One way or another you will pay for what you done.’
David Bryant (pictured left and right, with his wife Lynn) was declared innocent and released from jail in 2016 after his accuser Danny Day was exposed as a serial liar
Mr Bryant, who had a 40 year unblemished record of public service, took the note to the police and said he was being blackmailed.
But rather than investigate Day, police went after Mr Bryant and charged him with rape.
To his horror he was found guilty and jailed for six years. The term was later increased to eight-and-a-half years by the Court of Appeal.
Day, now aged 55, also had the audacity to attempt to sue Mr Bryant for £100,000 for damages.
A retained firefighter, Mr Bryant risked his life in the hurricane of 1987 and, again, dealing with an IRA bombing in Bournemouth six years later.
When he retired in 2006, he was made honorary freeman of the borough — a rare honour in recognition of his service to the community.
Mr Bryant revealed that his wife Lynn, who died from sepsis six months after his release, had told Dorset Police about the letter, put officers failed to act.
Mr Bryant’s case has worrying similarities with that of fantasist Carl Beech who made up allegations of a VIP paedophile ring in Westminster.
Mr Bryant (left and right), who had a 40 year unblemished record of public service, took the note to the police and said he was being blackmailed
Despite his implausible accusations, Scotland Yard took Beech, known as Nick, at his word and investigated several former MPs, including former prime minister Edward Heath.
In Mr Bryant’s case, the truth came out thanks to his wife Lynn, who hired a private detective while her husband languished in prison for a crime he did not commit.
The investigator uncovered a psychiatrist’s report that stated Day had an ‘extensive history of self-supporting as a liar’.
That document helped get Mr Bryant’s conviction quashed and he was released in 2016.
In 2018 a High Court judge heavily criticised Dorset Police for the way it investigated Mr Day’s allegation and said it was apparent Mr Bryant was innocent.
Despite the damning ruling, Dorset Police has never apologised for its ‘incompetent’ handling of the case.
A month after the ruling, the former fireman launched a claim for compensation with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the time he wrongly spent in jail.
He was told by the MoJ that it would take three months to resolve, but nearly two years later and he is still waiting for an answer.
Mr Bryant, whose wife died aged 54 shortly after his release, revealed his anger at the time it was taking.
He said: ‘It’s diabolical. I’m just really beginning to wish I had never started it to be honest.
‘It’s keeping me hanging on and on and you cannot move on from anything. As I understand it, all it is, is a paper exercise.
‘I would have thought once a High Court judge said that’s it, he is not guilty, they would have wanted to move on and sort it out.
‘What’s that old saying about the wheels of justice turning slowly? Well, I never imagined they would move this slowly.’
The delays, Mr Bryant added, have only increased his feeling that he’s been dealt a ‘very bad hand’ by justice.
He added: ‘What with all what’s gone before I do feel hard done by.’
Mr Bryant’s barrister, Rupert Butler said: ‘It is bad enough Dave was deprived of his liberty for so long as a result of incompetent policing and poor prosecution decisions.
‘But to find himself at the mercy of the deep state’s inefficient and indifferent bureaucratic machine is an insult too far for someone who devoted his life to impeccable public service – he deserves far, far better.’
Mr Bryant (pictured with his wife) took his case to the High Court as he sought a judgement which explicitly confirmed his innocence of attacking Mr Day