Taxi driver who raped a woman in his car is jailed

“If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, please tell us – we believe you.”

That’s our message to survivors after a taxi driver who raped a woman has been jailed for 15 years.

The woman had been on a night out with a friend in Newton Aycliffe in January last year when she was collected by taxi driver, David Greaves.

Her friend told Greaves: “Make sure she gets home safely; she’s had a lot to drink.”

But instead of taking her home, the 42-year-old took the woman to a secluded cemetery car park and raped her.

The woman woke up the next day and knew something had happened as she was bruised and sore, but couldn’t remember the details.

She confronted Greaves who confirmed he had sex with her before dropping her off at home.

The brave woman contacted police and Greaves, of Wansbeck Close, Spennymoor, was arrested and later charged with rape.

He denied the offence, claiming the sex was consensual, but a jury sitting at Durham Crown Court found him unanimously guilty. 

A pre-sentence report found him to be a dangerous offender, and he was jailed for 15 years.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “As a taxi driver he was in a position of trust and on the night he raped me, he had one job – that job was to get me home safely while I was intoxicated and not to rape me when I was too drunk to know what was going on.

“He has changed my life forever by his actions. I have ongoing feelings of self-loathe and disgust at what happened, feelings of worthlessness, low confidence and self-esteem, of panic, anxiety and depression.

“I see danger everywhere and wonder who will hurt me next. I see everyone as a potential threat to me, making me hyper vigilant when I am out, sometimes crossing the road or changing direction if someone gets too close to me or is following me in the street.

“I do not think I will ever trust anyone ever again.”

Detective Constable Dave Taylor, from South Durham CID, led the investigation.

“As a taxi driver, Greaves held a position of trust – his job was to get people home safely. On that evening, he abused this position for his own gratification,” he said.

“He preyed on a vulnerable woman who was too intoxicated to give consent or to remember what had happened. 

“Consent means saying “yes” to what happened. If you can’t freely give consent – for example you’re too drunk to consent – then it’s a crime. It is as simple as that.

“I hope this prison sentence will give him time to reflect on his actions and the damage they have caused."

He added: “I’d like to commend the bravery of the woman in this case, who has shown immense courage in standing up to her rapist at court.

“By pleading not guilty, Greaves subjected her to further trauma by forcing her to relive her ordeal in court.

“Her strength has prevailed, and her attacker has been handed a lengthy prison sentence. I hope that this sentence will allow her to begin the healing process and enable her to rebuild her life.

“If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, please tell us – you will be listened to, and we will believe you.

“We know it can be difficult, but we have specially trained officers who will support you every step of the way.”

To report a rape or sexual assault, call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’re more comfortable reporting online, you can visit our online reporting page here www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help.

The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk

Local charity Harbour provides support to those experiencing domestic abuse. Call 03000 20 25 25 or visit www.myharbour.org.uk