Rapist taxi driver given longer prison sentence
Lance Percival, a taxi driver from Oxted, Surrey, had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. He repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a vulnerable passenger over five years, exploiting her inability to consent, with the offences uncovered after an SD card containing videos was found in his wallet. He pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice, four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration, and was originally sentenced to 12 years and six months plus an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order. The Court of Appeal increased the sentence to a 20-year extended sentence (16 years in custody and a four-year extended licence), and the Solicitor General said the decision helps protect others from such abuse.
A taxi driver who filmed himself repeatedly raping a vulnerable passenger over several years has his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened.
Lance Percival, of Oxted, Surrey, had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
The court heard that between 2020 and 2025, Percival regularly drove a vulnerable woman to her support services.
He repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted the victim over five years, knowing her vulnerability meant she could not provide consent.
The offending came to light when an SD card was found in his wallet containing videos showing him committing the offences.
Police found 16 videos showing Percival assaulting the victim, including instances where she could be heard telling him to stop.
When arrested, Percival admitted he knew the victim could not consent.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP said:
This was a horrific case where predator Lance Percival abused his position of trust as the victim’s taxi driver to rape and sexually assault the vulnerable passenger who was not in a position to give him her consent.
As Solicitor General, I will use my position to protect women and girls from abuse, and I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Lance Percival’s sentence ensuring he spends longer behind bars where he cannot harm anyone else.
On 10 November 2025, Percival was sentenced to 12 years and six months, together with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order. Percival pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice, four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration.
On Tuesday 24 March at the Court of Appeal, Percival’s sentence was increased to a 20-year extended sentence, comprising 16 years’ imprisonment and a four-year extended licence period.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rapist-taxi-driver-given-longer-prison-sentence
