pretend taxi driver who stored condoms, latex gloves and Viagra in his automobile as he prowled the streets for weak ladies has been jailed for 18 years, police stated.
Graham Head, 66, drove round Brighton in his silver Mercedes property and tried to rape and sexually assault younger feminine passengers.
Sussex Police stated Head, of Coast Highway in Pevensey, was arrested on November 18 final 12 months after a girl in her 20s reported waking up in what she thought was a taxi to discover a man sexually assaulting her.
Officers tracked down the automobile and linked Head to a different investigation from earlier in 2022, when a youngster who acquired a taxi trip from him from Brighton to Hove Park on August 19 was then dragged into bushes.
I don’t really feel secure any extra, realizing that there are folks on the market who need to do what has been completed to me
After his arrest, Head’s web search historical past revealed a number of searches for Brighton scholar nights and nightclub opening instances throughout East Sussex and Surrey.
His automobile contained latex gloves, condoms, Viagra tablets and a balaclava, whereas his cell phone was in flight mode.
Sentencing him at Hove Crown Court docket on July 24, Decide Jeremy Gold KC described Head as a “sexual predator” who posed a “current and harmful threat to ladies”.
The defendant, who will spend 18 years in jail and one other 5 years on prolonged licence, was discovered responsible of kidnap, tried rape and assault by penetration on the identical court docket on June 2.
A press release submitted to the court docket by one in all Head’s victims stated: “Most prominently, I actually battle to be outdoors on my own at evening.
“I begin to panic at each insignificant sound as I assume that it should be somebody who’s coming to harm and violate me.
“Usually, I don’t really feel secure any extra, realizing that there are folks on the market who need to do what has been completed to me.”
Detective Constable Elliott Lander, of Surrey and Sussex’s main crime crew, praised the 2 “courageous” ladies for coming ahead and supporting the investigation, and urged some other potential victims to contact police.
“We consider Head might have additional victims who haven’t but come ahead,” he stated.
“For those who consider you’ll have been a sufferer, or have any info which might assist, please contact police on-line or by way of 101, quoting Operation Cooper. At all times dial 999 in an emergency.”
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