Fake taxi predator found guilty again after successful appeal triggered retrial
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
A man who posed as a taxi driver to target young women in Brighton and Hove has been convicted for a second time after a retrial.
Graham Head, 68, was originally handed a 23-year prison sentence in July 2023 for kidnap, attempted rape and assault by penetration. His conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in November 2024 after concerns were raised about the trial judge. A retrial was ordered.
On 19 June, a jury at Lewes Crown Court found Head guilty on all counts. He will be sentenced at the same court on 25 August. Head has remained in custody throughout the legal process.
The offences relate to attacks on two women in 2022. Both had accepted lifts in what they believed were licensed taxis.
One victim, a woman in her late teens, was attacked in Hove Park in August 2022. She managed to escape when her phone rang, prompting the attacker to flee. The other woman, in her 20s, reported being sexually assaulted in a car in November 2022 after waking to find Head attacking her.
In the second case, the victim was able to recall part of the registration plate. Police traced the vehicle within minutes. A silver Mercedes estate was stopped in Preston Circus. Head, wearing a face mask, was arrested. Officers found items including condoms, latex gloves, Viagra, and a balaclava inside the vehicle.
Head’s phone had been switched to flight mode. His browsing history showed repeated searches about tracking mobile phones, nightclub hours, and student events in Brighton, East Sussex and Surrey.
One of Head’s victims has since died. Her mother said the appeal and retrial placed an immense strain on the family. She praised the police, the CPS, and support services for their handling of the case.
Police continue to encourage any other potential victims to come forward.
Detective Constable Elliott Lander from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “Graham Head has twice tried to evade justice for his despicable crimes, and now twice been convicted by separate juries.
“His refusal to accept responsibility for his offending has forced his victims to relive the traumatic attacks carried out by him. The impact on them and their families cannot be overstated, and I commend all involved for their strength and courage in such challenging circumstances.
“Head will remain in prison, as he has throughout this process, as we await resentencing.”
