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Predator prowled Brighton posing as taxi driver before abducting and raping 19-year-old passenger
A sex attacker who pretended to be a taxi driver to abduct and rape a young woman in Brighton has been jailed for 20 years.
Ruckling Ramsay, 61, targeted the 19-year-old during the early hours of Sunday 3 July 2022 while driving around Brighton city centre in a silver Mercedes.
Ramsay picked up the vulnerable woman and pressured her into sniffing white powder before driving her to a series of locations. She was subjected to multiple rapes and sexual assaults during an ordeal that took her to areas including Shoreham Power Station and remote locations on the South Downs. One of the attacks was carried out at knifepoint.
At around 9.30am, the victim managed to text a friend. The friend tracked her location and followed Ramsay’s vehicle before collecting the woman when she was able to escape.
The incident was reported to Sussex Police, which provided the victim with specialist support and traced Ramsay using his vehicle registration number. He was subsequently arrested.
Officers searching Ramsay’s car discovered condoms and lubricant alongside items establishing that the victim had been inside the vehicle. Investigators also obtained phone location data showing Ramsay had been driving around Brighton city centre for some time that night. His phone records showed searches for solicitors following the attack.
Ramsay was initially released on conditional bail while investigators gathered evidence. A second police investigation began on 21 January 2024 after another woman reported an attack in Brixton, south London, bearing significant similarities to the Brighton case.
In that incident, Ramsay abducted the woman and subjected her to a series of non-consensual sexual acts inside his vehicle, causing significant fear and distress.
Metropolitan Police investigators obtained DNA evidence from the victim’s clothing matching Ramsay. Vehicle tracking evidence also placed his car in the vicinity of the offence at the relevant time, corroborating the woman’s account.
Ramsay was charged with three counts of rape, kidnap and sexual assault by penetration in connection with the Sussex Police investigation. He was separately charged with kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence and sexual assault following the Metropolitan Police investigation.
During the trial, a woman involved in a similar incident dating back to 2009, in which Ramsay had been the prime suspect, gave live bad-character evidence. That earlier investigation had not resulted in charges.
Ramsay was convicted on all counts at Inner London Crown Court on 21 May 2026. He was sentenced at the same court on 7 September to 20 years’ imprisonment, with an additional three years and six months on extended licence.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett said: “Women and girls should be safe to live their lives without falling victim to predatory offenders.
“They should not have to fear for their safety when they are simply trying to get home at night, and we are doing all we can to make sure they are protected.
“We believe there may be more women who have been targeted by Ramsay. We would encourage them to come forward so we can get them the justice they deserve.
“Ruckling Ramsay is now safely behind bars where he will remain for many years to come.
“In Brighton we work closely with partners including Night Safety Marshals and licensed venues, with officers and marshals carrying out high visibility patrols linked to the wider safety network in our towns and cities.
“If you are a victim of crime or feel someone is vulnerable or in danger, please report to officers, security staff or call 999 in an emergency.”
Metropolitan Police Detective Constable Kieran Mulvaney who worked on the investigation said: “Our thoughts remain firmly with the victim, whose courage in coming forward after such a deeply traumatic experience has been remarkable. Her report has been central to securing this conviction and ensuring a dangerous offender is held accountable.
“This outcome reflects the determination of our officers to pursue justice, using every piece of evidence available to support the victim and bring the perpetrator before the courts. We encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to report it – you will be listened to, taken seriously, and supported throughout.
“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a top priority for the Met, and we are relentlessly focused on bringing offenders to justice and protecting those most vulnerable in our communities.”
