A serial sex predator prowled Liverpool city centre streets in his Mercedes, hunting vulnerable teenage girls enjoying nights out. Amponsah Thompson, 29, tricked victims by posing as a taxi driver before raping and assaulting three young women.
Fake Taxi Driver Lures Victims Into a Trap
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Thompson targeted an 18-year-old in August 2024. The teenager, heavily intoxicated after visiting Seel Street bars, spotted Thompson’s white Mercedes near Alma de Cuba (now St Peter’s Tavern) just after 2am. She asked if he was a taxi driver. Prosecutor David Polglase revealed Thompson “lied and pretended he was,” convincing the woman to get inside. Instead of driving her home, he took her to his Tuebrook address where he attacked her in the back seat. The victim faked a phone call to her family, forcing Thompson to drive her home. She later traced payments she made into his bank account for the ride. Thompson denied pretending to be a taxi driver or making any physical contact.
Preys on Drunk Teens, Threatens Victims with a Knife
Still under investigation after the first attack, Thompson struck again in December 2024. He found another 18-year-old lone and slumped in the street after a night at central Liverpool pubs. At 3.30am, he “escorted her back to his car” before raping her while she drifted in and out of consciousness at his flat. Throughout 2025, Thompson raped a third woman six or seven times, threatening her with a knife and violently assaulting her. The court heard he is “manipulative” and has “no regard for boundaries and consent.”
Jailed for 23 Years, Must Register for Life
Thompson, previously investigated for a January 2024 sexual assault against a lap dancer but never charged, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the first victim and three counts of rape of the third. He was found guilty of rape of the second victim by a jury. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison with an additional eight years on licence. Judge Brian Cummings KC called him a “dangerous offender” posing “significant risk” to the public and noted possible deportation consideration. Thompson must serve two-thirds of his sentence before parole and will sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
