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A faux taxi driver who stored condoms, latex gloves and Viagra in his automobile as he prowled the streets for susceptible women 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 young 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 an adolescent who obtained a taxi journey from him from Brighton to Hove Park on August 19 was then dragged into bushes.
I don’t really feel protected any extra, understanding that there are individuals on the market who wish to do what has been executed to me
Assertion by certainly one of Graham Head’s victims
After his arrest, Head’s web search historical past revealed a number of searches for Brighton pupil 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 women”.
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 certainly one of Head’s victims stated: “Most prominently, I actually wrestle to be outdoors on my own at night time.
“I begin to panic at each insignificant sound as I assume that it have to be somebody who is coming to harm and violate me.
“Basically, I don’t really feel protected any extra, understanding that there are individuals on the market who wish to do what has been executed to me.”
Detective Constable Elliott Lander, of Surrey and Sussex’s main crime staff, praised the 2 “courageous” women for coming ahead and supporting the investigation, and urged some other potential victims to contact police.
“We consider Head could have additional victims who haven’t but come ahead,” he stated.
“When you consider you might 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.”
