Rapist taxi driver's jail term extended on appeal

A taxi driver who repeatedly raped a vulnerable passenger for years has had his prison sentence increased.

Lance Percival, of Pollards Oak Road in Oxted, Surrey, received a 12-and-a-half-year sentence in November, which has been extended to 20 years at the Court of Appeal.

The 65-year-old had admitted multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice between 2021 and 2024.

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC said Percival was a "predator" who "abused his position of trust as the victim's taxi driver".

The case was referred to the higher court under Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Percival has been subject to a sexual harm prevention order since his original sentencing.

According to Surrey Police, the driver's crimes were uncovered when an SD card was found in his wallet containing videos showing him committing his crimes.

Police said 16 videos showed the rapist subjecting his victim to various levels of abuse, with her telling him to stop in some of the footage.

The woman never reported the attacks and "had little understanding or comprehension" of what happened to her, the force added.

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