Lance Melville Percival

Lance Melville Percival, a 64-year-old self-employed taxi driver from Oxted in Surrey, exploited his position of trust to subject a vulnerable woman to repeated sexual abuse over a five-year period. Operating under a Hackney Carriage licence issued by Tandridge District Council, Percival had been transporting the victim to her support services and voluntary work for a decade when the offences began. The victim, who has a mental disorder that impeded her ability to make choices, was groomed and manipulated by Percival, leading to a series of horrific assaults that she did not report due to her lack of comprehension and the extensive grooming involved.

The investigation into Percival's crimes was triggered by the discovery of an SD card hidden in his wallet, which contained numerous files depicting him committing the offences. A total of 16 videos were recovered, spanning 13 dates across a three-year period within the broader five-year timeframe of the abuse. In some of these recordings, the victim can be clearly heard telling Percival to stop as he subjected her to various levels of abuse, including rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration. The evidence was uncovered by Surrey Police's Sexual Offences Investigation Team, highlighting the depraved nature of Percival's actions as a 'sexual predator' who took advantage of the woman's vulnerability.

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 at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 10 November 2025 to 12 and a half years' imprisonment. In addition to the custodial sentence, Percival was issued with a Restraining Order preventing contact with the survivor and her immediate relatives, as well as a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Following the allegations, Surrey Police notified Tandridge District Council, resulting in the immediate revocation of his taxi licence.

Detective Constable Marc Taylor from Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, who led the investigation, described Percival's behaviour as 'hugely shocking' and emphasised the team's commitment to justice. 'Percival is a sexual predator who abused his position as her driver and took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability,' Taylor stated. 'It is clear that Percival knew what he was doing and I am glad that his depraved actions finally came to light. Thanks to the work of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team and the bravery of those involved in the investigation, we were able to secure sufficient evidence to leave Percival no choice but to plead guilty to his crimes, meaning the survivor and her family were spared the trauma of going through the process of a trial.' This case, reported by Surrey Live on 11 November 2025, underscores the seriousness with which Surrey Police treat reports of sexual offences and their determination to bring perpetrators to justice.