A black cab driver who sexually assaulted his passengers was today jailed for 10 years.

David Perry, 52, of Gayton House in Bow, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court after pleading guilty to four charges last month.

On February 2 at the same court he admitted one count of attempted rape, one count of assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.

Perry was arrested and charged in August after his DNA was linked to both attacks, which happened on January 27 2013 in Calabria Road, Islington, and near South Woodford tube station, in Glebelands Avenue, on May 4 last year.  

Both attacks took place in the early hours of the morning and the victims were women in their 20s who had been out socialising before getting into Perry's taxi and falling asleep.

They woke to find him assaulting them.

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Police released this image of Perry's black cab.

 

During an investigation, detectives from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command found DNA evidence linking the attacks to the same offender.

But it did not match any existing profiles on the DNA database.

Further enquiries revealed a black London taxi as a vehicle of interest.

This vehicle was registered to a David Perry, a taxi driver with no previous convictions.

He was duly arrested and his DNA was matched to both offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Price, from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Perry’s sentence reflects his crimes and I am pleased that he will now serve a lengthy prison sentence.

“As the driver of an iconic black taxi, was in a position of trust.

"Sadly, he breached that trust by targeting women who he perceived to be vulnerable.

"Thankfully, those women came forward and reported him to the police.

“Today, I must praise them both for their strength and determination to see him brought to justice.

"Perry was a taxi driver for some 25 years and I must consider the possibility he may have committed other offences that have not been reported to the police.

"As part of this investigation we have made detailed enquiries into his past and eliminated unsolved cases from this enquiry.

“I would now appeal directly to anyone, who as a result of this case, thinks they may have been raped or assaulted by Perry.

"I would like to reassure anyone worried about coming forward that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and specially trained officers will be available to listen to them and support them through each step."

Police are asking anyone who thinks they may have been raped or assaulted by David Perry to call them on 020 8217 6446