Taxi driver jailed for five-year campaign of sexual abuse against vulnerable passenger
- Perry Richardson
- 55 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A taxi driver who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman over several years while taking her to support sessions and voluntary work has been jailed for twelve and a half years.
Lance Melville Percival, aged 64, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Sunday 10 November where he was sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences committed between 2019 and 2024.
Percival pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, eight counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration. He was also handed a Restraining Order preventing contact with the survivor and her family, alongside a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The abuse only came to light after an SD card was discovered hidden inside Percival’s wallet. The card contained sixteen videos of the offences taking place over a period covering thirteen separate dates between 2021 and 2024. In some recordings, the survivor can be heard telling Percival to stop as he continued his attacks.
Investigators said the woman, who has significant cognitive difficulties, had not understood the nature of the abuse and had never reported it. Police believe she would not have come forward due to the level of manipulation and control exerted by Percival over several years.
Percival had worked as a self-employed taxi driver licensed by Tandridge District Council for around a decade. Once the allegations were reported, Surrey Police immediately alerted the council, and his Hackney Carriage licence was revoked.
A spokesperson for Tandridge District Council confirmed the authority acted as soon as it was informed of the allegations, removing Percival’s ability to operate as a licensed driver. Surrey Police described the case as one of sustained exploitation of a vulnerable passenger who relied on Percival for essential journeys.
The investigation has raised further concern over safeguarding within the taxi licensing system, particularly where vulnerable passengers depend on regular drivers for essential appointments and community access.
Detective Constable Marc Taylor from Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, who investigated the case, said:“Percival is a sexual predator who abused his position as her driver and took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability. The level and nature of the abuse was hugely shocking and I would like to thank all of my colleagues that assisted in the investigation. It is clear that Percival knew what he was doing and I am glad that his depraved actions finally came to light. Thanks to the work of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team and the bravery of those involved in the investigation, we were able to secure sufficient evidence to leave Percival no choice but to plead guilty to his crimes, meaning the survivor and her family were spared the trauma of going through the process of a trial.
“This investigation, and today’s sentence, show how seriously any reports of sexual offences are taken and demonstrates that we will do whatever it takes to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”
