Posted on the 1st October 2026 in PHTM News

FAKE PH DRIVER JAILED FOR 20 YEARS AFTER KIDNAPPING AND RAPING WOMAN IN BRIGHTON

A London man who posed as a taxi driver to target a vulnerable passenger has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping and raping a 19-year-old woman.

Ruckling Ramsay, 61, from Wanstead, preyed on the teenager in Brighton city centre in 2022. By pretending to operate a private hire vehicle, he deceived the victim into getting into his car, highlighting the severe dangers associated with unbooked and bogus transport operators.

Once she was inside, he pressured her into taking drugs before driving her to remote locations, including Shoreham Power Station and the South Downs, where he subjected her to multiple rapes and sexual assaults.

The victim managed to text a friend at around 9.30am, enabling the friend to track her location and rescue her. Sussex Police used the vehicle's registration number and phone location data to trace and arrest Ramsay.

Following joint investigations by Sussex Police and the Metropolitan Police, he was found guilty on May 21, 2026, at Inner London Crown Court, and received his 20-year sentence on September 7, alongside a three-year and six-month extended licence.

Detective Constable Kieran Mulvaney praised the victim, stating: “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.”

Authorities believe Ramsay may have targeted other passengers using his fake taxi scheme.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbet urged potential victims to speak out, saying: “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.”


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