Posted on the 11th November 2025 in PHTM News
SURREY "SEXUAL PREDATOR" TAXI DRIVER JAILED FOR PREYING ON VULNERABLE WOMAN
A Surrey taxi driver, described by police as a "sexual predator," has been jailed for 12 and a half years after he pleaded guilty to raping and sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman over a five-year period.
Lance Melville Percival, 64, of Oxted, filmed himself raping the woman over a five-year period during trips to her support services.
He has been jailed for 12 and a half years after he used his position as her driver on trips to her support services and voluntary work to commit the offences.
He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Monday 10 November, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to:
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Eight counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice.
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Four counts of rape.
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Two counts of sexual assault.
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Two counts of assault by penetration.
The horrific abuse came to light after an investigation commenced when an SD card, hidden in Percival's wallet, was found to contain numerous files showing him committing the offences. The evidence included 16 videos spanning 13 dates across a three-year period.
The court heard that the survivor could "clearly be heard telling him to stop in some of the videos." It is believed she would never have reported the abuse herself due to "the level of grooming and her lack of understanding."
Detective Constable Marc Taylor from Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, who led the case, stated: "Percival is a sexual predator who abused his position as her driver and took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability."
He added: "The level and nature of the abuse was hugely shocking" and that he was "glad that his depraved actions finally came to light."
Percival was a self-employed taxi driver licensed by Tandridge District Council for ten years, but his hackney carriage licence was immediately revoked when the allegations were reported.
DC Taylor concluded: "This investigation, and the 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.”
Percival was also issued a Restraining Order preventing contact with the survivor and her immediate relatives and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
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