A man who posed as a taxi driver to carry out violent sexual attacks on two women in Brighton and Hove has been found guilty for a second time following a retrial at Lewes Crown Court.
Graham Head, 68, formerly of Coast Road in Pevensey, was originally sentenced to 23 years in July 2023 for kidnap, attempted rape, and assault by penetration. The offences involved two female victims and took place in 2022.
However, that conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in November 2024 following a complaint Head raised about the trial judge. A new trial was ordered, and on Thursday (19 June), a fresh jury unanimously convicted him of all charges.
Head will return to Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on 25 August and remains in custody.
“A Dangerous Predator Removed from the Streets”
Detective Constable Elliott Lander of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said:
“Graham Head has twice tried to evade justice for his despicable crimes, and now twice been convicted by separate juries.
His refusal to accept responsibility forced his victims to relive deeply traumatic events. The impact on them and their families cannot be overstated, and I commend all involved for their strength and courage.”
One of Head’s victims — a woman in her 20s — has sadly passed away since the original conviction. Her mother shared a heartfelt tribute:
“My daughter tragically died a few days after learning that Head’s conviction had been overturned. Despite the retrial being incredibly hard for all of us, I am relieved he is finally being held accountable again.
I urge any other women who may have encountered this man to come forward. You will be heard, supported, and believed.”
How the Offences Unfolded
The court heard that in August 2022, police were investigating the attempted rape of a teenager in Hove Park when, three months later, a second woman reported being sexually assaulted in a vehicle she believed to be a taxi.
In the first incident, a young woman was offered a lift from Brighton to Hove by a man in a silver Mercedes. He later dragged her into bushes in Hove Park and attempted to rape her before fleeing when her mobile phone rang. She described the attacker as a short man wearing a face mask.
In November 2022, a second woman reported waking up in a vehicle and realising she was being sexually assaulted. She too had believed she was in a licensed taxi. She escaped and provided officers with three digits of the car’s registration plate.
Police quickly located the vehicle — a silver Mercedes estate — and stopped it in Preston Circus after a short pursuit. The driver was Graham Head, who matched the earlier description.
Inside the car, police found latex gloves, condoms, Viagra tablets, and a balaclava. Head’s phone had been placed on flight mode, and his search history included queries like “if a mobile phone is switched off can it still be traced” and nightclub and student night details in Brighton, East Sussex, and Surrey.
Appeal for Information
Detectives believe there may be further victims and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with concerns or information can contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Veil.
