Taxi driver jailed 15 years for raping vulnerable drunk woman in Newton Aycliffe
A taxi driver has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a woman in Newton Aycliffe. The incident occurred in January of last year after the victim had been on a night out with a friend.
David Greaves, 42, was the driver who collected the woman after her evening out. Despite the friend’s request for Greaves to ensure she got home safely, he took her to a secluded cemetery car park and assaulted her.
The victim woke the next day with bruises and soreness, unable to recall the events clearly. Upon confronting Greaves, he admitted to having sex with her before eventually dropping her home.
The victim reported the incident to the police, leading to Greaves’ arrest and subsequent charge of rape. He denied the offence, asserting that the encounter was consensual. However, a jury at Durham Crown Court found him unanimously guilty.
A pre-sentence report classified Greaves as a dangerous offender. As a result, he received a 15-year prison sentence.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “As a taxi driver he was in a position of trust and on the night he raped me, he had one job – that job was to get me home safely while I was intoxicated and not to rape me when I was too drunk to know what was going on.
“He has changed my life forever by his actions. I have ongoing feelings of self-loathe and disgust at what happened, feelings of worthlessness, low confidence and self-esteem, of panic, anxiety and depression.
“I see danger everywhere and wonder who will hurt me next. I see everyone as a potential threat to me, making me hyper vigilant when I am out, sometimes crossing the road or changing direction if someone gets too close to me or is following me in the street.
“I do not think I will ever trust anyone ever again.”
Detective Constable Dave Taylor, from South Durham CID, led the investigation and said: “As a taxi driver, Greaves held a position of trust – his job was to get people home safely. On that evening, he abused this position for his own gratification.”
“He preyed on a vulnerable woman who was too intoxicated to give consent or to remember what had happened.
“Consent means saying “yes” to what happened. If you can’t freely give consent – for example you’re too drunk to consent – then it’s a crime. It is as simple as that.
“I hope this prison sentence will give him time to reflect on his actions and the damage they have caused."
He added: “I’d like to commend the bravery of the woman in this case, who has shown immense courage in standing up to her rapist at court.
“By pleading not guilty, Greaves subjected her to further trauma by forcing her to relive her ordeal in court.
“Her strength has prevailed, and her attacker has been handed a lengthy prison sentence. I hope that this sentence will allow her to begin the healing process and enable her to rebuild her life.
“If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, please tell us – you will be listened to, and we will believe you.
“We know it can be difficult, but we have specially trained officers who will support you every step of the way.”
