Jagath Arachchige

Charming Accountant Exposed as Sexual Predator in Bristol

Jagath Arachchige, a 44-year-old accountant from Eighth Avenue in Filton, led a double life that shocked the Bristol community. By day, he was known as a professional and engaging individual in his accounting role. However, by night, he transformed into a predatory offender, cruising Bristol city centre in his blue Honda Accord, masquerading as a licensed taxi driver to target lone women exiting nightclubs. This deceptive tactic allowed him to exploit the trust of vulnerable, often inebriated victims seeking safe transport home.

The incidents unfolded in late November 2017. Just two weeks prior, police had encountered Arachchige in his car at a known sex spot with an inebriated student. Officers intervened, removing the woman and issuing him a strong warning about his behaviour. Undeterred, Arachchige struck on the night of 25 November 2017. He picked up a young woman who had left a Bristol nightclub, believing him to be a legitimate cabbie. Instead of taking her home, he kidnapped her for five hours, driving her to a sex spot and even booking a room at a motel. The ordeal culminated in a sexual assault where Arachchige groped her bare chest and attempted, but failed, to touch her intimately under her clothing. The woman escaped further harm by claiming her mother was a police officer, prompting Arachchige to eventually release her.

• Arachchige denied all charges, including kidnap and sexual assault for the first incident.
• Just 15 hours later, on 26 November 2017, he targeted another woman under similar pretences, detaining her in his car with intent to commit a sexual offence.
• The second victim managed to escape unmolested.

Arachchige's trial took place at Bristol Crown Court, where a jury convicted him in December 2017 of two counts of kidnap, one count of sexual assault, and one count of kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence. Judge Mark Horton described Arachchige as a 'dangerous offender', highlighting how his charming facade masked 'callous, deliberate deception and manipulative skills of a predatory sexual offender'. The judge commended the thorough police investigation by Avon and Somerset Constabulary and praised the victims for their reasonable actions, noting they had 'deliberately exploited' trust in what they believed was a lawful taxi service.

Prosecutor Richard Posner read impact statements from both victims, who detailed ongoing anxiety and trust issues. One victim stated: 'I feel it is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.' In defence, Robert Morgan-Jones argued that Arachchige's actions stemmed from isolation after his marriage's intimacy declined, leaving him feeling 'rejected with his sexual and emotional needs not being dealt with'. However, the court rejected this mitigation.

On 6 April 2022, Judge Horton imposed a 16-year extended sentence: 12 years in custody (with two-thirds to serve) followed by four years on extended licence. Arachchige was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and ordered to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life. This case, reported by Bristol Live and covered by Crown Court Reporter Geoffrey Bennett, underscores the dangers of unlicensed taxis and the importance of victim support in sexual offence prosecutions.