A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted of a series of sexual offences in Liverpool, where he posed as a taxi driver to target vulnerable young women.
Amponsah Thompson, a Ghanaian national with leave to remain in the United Kingdom, was found guilty of multiple offences committed between August 2024 and 2025.
The court determined that he systematically exploited intoxicated and isolated women in the city’s nightlife districts, using his private vehicle to gain their trust under false pretences.
Proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court revealed a calculated pattern of behaviour. Thompson reportedly drove through busy entertainment areas in a white Mercedes, identifying young women who appeared alone and under the influence of alcohol.
His approach relied on deception, presenting himself as a legitimate taxi driver to lure victims into his car.
The first reported incident occurred in August 2024, involving an 18-year-old woman who had become separated from her friends after a night out. Believing Thompson to be a taxi driver, she entered his vehicle expecting to be taken home. Instead, he diverted to his residence, where he sexually assaulted her.
The victim managed to avoid further harm by pretending her family was tracking her movements, prompting Thompson to drive her home. A subsequent bank transfer payment later enabled investigators to identify and trace him.
Despite being questioned by police and released on bail, Thompson continued his activities. In December 2024, he targeted another 18-year-old woman described in court as highly intoxicated and vulnerable.
After escorting her to his vehicle in the early hours of the morning, he transported her to his residence, where she was raped. He later claimed the encounter was consensual, but a jury rejected this defence and returned a guilty verdict.
The court also heard evidence of a third victim, who endured repeated sexual assaults throughout 2025. Prosecutors stated that Thompson raped her multiple times, subjected her to physical violence, and issued threats with a weapon, underscoring a pattern of coercion and control.
Although Thompson had no prior convictions, the court noted an earlier investigation into an alleged sexual assault in January 2024, which did not result in charges after the complainant withdrew.
In sentencing, the judge characterised Thompson as a dangerous offender who posed a continuing risk to the public.
The court imposed a 23-year custodial sentence, followed by an additional eight years on licence. He will be required to serve a minimum of two-thirds of the sentence before being considered for parole and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The court also indicated that any decision regarding deportation would be handled by the appropriate authorities.
