A SEXUAL predator who posed as a taxi driver is behind bars, ten years after he put a man through a terrifying ordeal.

Advances in DNA technology matched John Grainger to the “cold case” of a stranger who was drugged and indecently assaulted before being left in a bush by the side of the road.

A decade on, the visibly upset victim was at Teesside Crown Court, in Middlesbrough, yesterday to see Grainger, 58, sentenced to four years in prison and an extended licence for a subsequent eight years.

Rupert Doswell, prosecuting, said that on June 18, 2000, a reveller was sitting on a kerb after a night out in Middlesbrough, outside the town hall in Albert Road, hoping to flag down a taxi.

Grainger pulled up in a car, which he said was a taxi and offered the man a lift home.

He accepted, although he noticed that there was no meter running.

Grainger of Kirkgate Road, in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, said he had to go via his mother’s house and invited the victim in for a drink.

After drinking a glass of green liquid the victim passed out before waking up face down.

“He could feel a heavy weight on top of him,” said Mr Doswell. “The man was on top of him and whispering in his ear that everything was going to be alright. His next recollection is of being woken in Coulby Newham where he had been dropped in a bush.”

Mr Doswell said the victim discovered that his boxer shorts were on back to front and a medical examination found semen on anal swabs.

A decade later DNA evidence was found on another man who was picked up by Grainger which linked him to the earlier unsolved case.

His previous criminal record read out to the court revealed three previous offences of kidnapping and two of possessing an imitation firearm.

A victim impact statement, written by the victim, said the experience had ruined his life, Mr Doswell added.

Andrew Mark, mitigating, said Grainger, who pleaded guilty, could not undo what he had done but he was aware of the impact of his actions on the victim’s life.

Judge Peter Armstrong said: “You are still a dangerous sexual predator. Because of the age of the offence the complainant has had to live with this for the period until he has been able to see justice served today.”

Detective Constable Kester Haith, of Middlesbrough CID, said: “Incidents which are reported to police will always be investigated thoroughly. No matter how much time passes, police will always strive to solve outstanding crimes, and in this instance we have been able to do this through advances in DNA.

“I am pleased that after more than 11 years Grainger has been brought to justice and hope that this case gives any other victims the confidence to come forward.”