DURHAM TAXI DRIVER DAVID GREAVES SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR RAPE IN CEMETERY PARKING LOT

A disturbing case unfolded in Durham where a taxi driver, David Greaves, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female passenger under highly manipulative and predatory circumstances. The incident took place after a night out in Durham, during which the woman, heavily intoxicated, was placed in Greaves' taxi by a friend with explicit instructions to take her directly home. However, what was supposed to be a brief journey of five to ten minutes extended to nearly an hour, raising suspicions that something sinister had occurred during the ride.

According to court proceedings, the woman was unaware of the events that transpired during her journey. She was dropped off at her residence and helped into her home by a family member, but upon waking the next morning, she experienced internal soreness and a vague sense of unease. Her suspicions grew as she struggled to recall the details of the previous night, and her physical discomfort prompted her to seek medical attention. It was during this process that she began to realize she might have been taken advantage of.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby explained that the woman was terrified she had been sexually assaulted during the taxi ride. When police contacted Greaves, he admitted to having sexual intercourse with her. The woman, distressed and seeking justice, reported the incident to the authorities. During police interviews, Greaves confirmed that he had engaged in sexual activity with her while she was in his vehicle. He provided a detailed account of what he described as a prolonged sexual encounter, minimizing her level of intoxication and portraying her as an enthusiastic participant. His version of events suggested that the woman consented to the sexual activity, a claim that was heavily contested.

Greaves, aged 42 and residing on Wansbeck Close in Spennymoor, faced charges of rape. He denied the allegations, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. After a five-day trial at Durham Crown Court in late May, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. Greaves was remanded into custody pending the preparation of a background probation report, with sentencing scheduled for July 11.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Cleasby emphasized that Greaves exploited the victim’s vulnerable state. He described the incident as both planned and calculated, noting that Greaves drove her to a secluded cemetery parking area to carry out the assault. The court heard that this was an abuse of trust, with Greaves deliberately choosing a remote location to carry out his actions, knowing her intoxicated and vulnerable condition.

The victim’s impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound and lasting effects of the assault. She described her life as being forever changed, suffering from feelings of self-loathing, low self-esteem, and trust issues. She also reported experiencing panic attacks, depression, and hyper-vigilance, constantly perceiving danger around her. The trauma extended to physical health, with severe migraines and increased alcohol consumption as her attempts to cope. Sleep disturbances and nightmares further compounded her suffering.

In mitigation, Stuart Duke, representing Greaves, maintained his client’s innocence, though he acknowledged the jury’s verdict. Duke expressed that Greaves regarded his life as effectively over and was pessimistic about his future prospects. He highlighted that Greaves had no prior convictions and had never served time before, describing his experience in prison as distressing and difficult. Despite his lack of criminal history, the Probation Service report classified him as a dangerous offender.

Judge Jo Kidd delivered a stern judgment, criticizing Greaves’ perception of his actions. She stated that he continued to hold a delusional and incorrect view of the rape he committed. The judge pointed out that Greaves was fully aware of the victim’s vulnerabilities at the time of the incident, which he deliberately exploited by driving her to a secluded area far from her home. She emphasized that no one could know what he did to her in that dark, isolated space, and that such actions caused significant trauma.

Judge Kidd condemned Greaves for disregarding the victim’s bodily autonomy and her right to choose when, where, and with whom to engage in sexual activity. She described his attitude as disturbing and noted that his description of the sexual encounter contained elements of relish, indicating a disturbing enjoyment of the act. The judge also highlighted that Greaves’ actions involved elements of abduction and were part of a sustained incident, with the victim suffering severe psychological harm.

As a result, Judge Kidd sentenced Greaves to an extended term of 15 years in prison, with a minimum of 12 years to be served before he could be considered for parole. He was also ordered to serve a three-year license period afterward. The court mandated that he serve at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence, which amounts to eight years, before being eligible for release. Additionally, Greaves was subjected to an unlimited restraining order preventing him from contacting or approaching the victim, and he was required to register as a sex offender indefinitely. He was also barred from working with children or vulnerable adults for life.

The judge decided against imposing a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as Greaves’ conviction would prevent him from holding a taxi license in the future. After delivering the sentence, Judge Kidd commended the victim and her family for their dignity and courage throughout the court proceedings, acknowledging the profound impact of the case on all involved.