Chilling moment fake Uber driver who prowled streets for women to rape is arrested after victim memorised number plate
A fake Uber driver who roamed the streets looking for women to rape was caught after a victim remembered part of his license plate number.
In the back seat of Graham Head’s car, police found a rape kit, which included latex gloves, condoms, Viagra pills and a balaclava.
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During a search of his home in Pevensey, East Sussex, officers also discovered an extendable baton and an incapacitating spray.
Head, 66, had been roaming the streets of Brighton hoping to lure potential victims into his Uber cab.
The first incident was reported on August 19 by a woman in her late teens who was dragged into a bush in Hove Park by a man in the early hours of the morning.
He had previously taken her from Brighton to Hove Park.
He attempted to rape her but fled the scene when the victim’s cell phone rang.
Her attacker was described as a 40-50 year old short man wearing a face mask.
CCTV footage showed the victim approaching a silver Mercedes station wagon, which was then followed by CCTV in the city center and footage of doorbells ringing as he slowly drove down the road near Hove Park.
On November 18, a woman in her 20s reported waking up in what she believed to be a taxi to find that a man had sexually abused her.
She had previously gotten into a taxi that took her from Brighton to Hove.
She managed to escape, called the police at around 3:10 a.m. and remembered three digits of the car’s license plate number.
Within minutes, officers located the vehicle – a silver Mercedes station wagon – and stopped it in Preston Circus after a brief chase.
The driver was Graham Head, 66, a short man wearing a face mask. Officers then discovered the spooky rape kit.
A mobile phone belonging to the victim was also found discarded by the roadside in Chatham Place, Brighton, along the route Head had taken during the pursuit.
The Coast Road manager in Pevensey has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, attempted rape and failing to stop a vehicle when asked to do so.
Investigators linked his vehicle to the August attack and the next day he was arrested again for these offences.
He was subsequently charged with kidnapping, attempted rape, assault and sexual assault and remanded in custody.
Head was found guilty of kidnapping, attempted rape and assault at Hove Crown Court on Friday.
He was held in custody pending sentencing
Detective Constable Elliott Lander of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “Graham Head is a predatory delinquent who has gained the trust of these victims by posing as a taxi driver only to take advantage of vulnerable women in the most heinous manner.”
“The items found in his car demonstrate the callous, premeditated nature of his crimes as he searched through Brighton and Hove for potential victims.
“Thanks to the speed and bravery of these two women, we were able to quickly connect Head to both incidents and bring him to justice. I would like to thank both of them for their assistance with this investigation.
“Without her, this dangerous individual could still be at large. Instead he was put on trial and the streets of Brighton and Hove are safer as a result.
“We believe Head may have other victims who have not yet come forward. If you believe you may have been a victim or have any information that may help, please contact police online or on 101 quoting Operation Cooper. In an emergency, always dial 999.”
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