Graham Head, 66, has been jailed for 18 years after he prowled the streets of Brighton in his silver Mercedes estate attempting to pick up and attack young female passengers
A fake taxi driver who kept condoms, latex gloves and Viagra in his car as he prowled the streets for vulnerable women has been jailed for 18 years, police have said.
Graham Head, 66, drove around Brighton in his silver Mercedes estate and attempted to rape and sexually assault young female passengers.
According to Sussex Police, Head, of Coast Road in Pevensey, was arrested on November 18 2022 after a woman in her 20s reported waking up in what she thought was a taxi to a man sexually assaulting her. Her report meant officers were able to track down the car and link Head to another ongoing investigation from earlier that year, when a teenager who received a taxi ride from him from Brighton to Hove Park was then dragged into bushes on August 19.
After his arrest in November 2022, Head’s internet search history revealed multiple searches into Brighton student nights and nightclub opening times across Brighton, East Sussex and Surrey.
His car also contained latex gloves, condoms, Viagra tablets and a balaclava, while his mobile phone was in flight mode. Sentencing him at Hove Crown Court on July 24, Judge Jeremy Gold KC described Head as a “sexual predator” who posed a “present and dangerous risk to women”.
The defendant, who will spend 18 years in prison and another five years on extended licence, had been found guilty of kidnap, attempted rape and assault by penetration at the same court on June 2. In a statement submitted to the court by one of Head’s victims, she said: “Most prominently, I really struggle to be outside by myself at night.
“I start to panic at every insignificant sound as I assume that it must be someone who is coming to hurt and violate me.
“In general, I don’t feel safe anymore, knowing that there are people out there who want to do what has been done to me.”
Detective Constable Elliott Lander, from Surrey and Sussex’s major crime team, praised the two “brave” women for coming forward and supporting the investigation, and urged any other potential victims to contact the police.
“We believe Head may have further victims who have not yet come forward,” he said.
“If you believe you may have been a victim, or have any information which could help, please contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Cooper. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
