GRAHAM SMITH FROM MORECAMBE FACES LIFE SENTENCE AFTER SERIAL SEX OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Morecambe Rapist
In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Morecambe and reverberated across the country, Graham Smith, aged 45, was brought before the Old Bailey to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving young boys and men. The proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over a decade, with Smith allegedly posing as a bus driver to lure his victims into dangerous situations.
Smith's criminal history is extensive. He was previously sentenced to four years in prison at Preston Crown Court in 1991 for the sexual abuse of two boys whom he had taken back to his residence in Morecambe. Despite this prior conviction, he continued to commit offenses, with evidence indicating that he has committed more than 100 crimes of a sexual nature across various locations in the United Kingdom since 1981.
During the recent trial, the jury was presented with a detailed account of Smith’s modus operandi. Prosecutor Mr. David Jeremy explained that Smith had developed a deliberate and calculated system to attract and exploit vulnerable young men. His method involved impersonating a bus driver, a role he assumed in Morecambe as well as other towns and cities, to gain the trust of his victims.
The court heard how Smith would use this false identity to lure young men, primarily those in their teens or early twenties, with the youngest victim being only 15 years old. All of these young men came from broken homes and were desperately seeking employment opportunities. Smith would invite them to his flat under the pretense of filling out forms or undergoing medical examinations, claiming that physical strength and fitness were necessary qualities for a bus driver.
Once inside his residence, Smith would instruct the young men to remove their clothing. He would then proceed to fondle them, an act described by the prosecution as a “charade,” noting that Smith lacked any medical qualifications or legitimate reason for such procedures. Some victims refused his advances, but others felt compelled to comply, believing that cooperation was a prerequisite for securing employment or opportunities.
The court was told that in some cases, the sexual assaults escalated into more serious attacks. Smith would often ply his victims with alcohol and offer money, further coercing them into compliance. These acts of abuse were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of exploitation that spanned years.
When arrested, Smith attempted to portray himself as a benevolent figure, claiming to be a “Good Samaritan” who helped young homeless people at soup kitchens and hostels. He painted a picture of himself as someone aiding vulnerable youths with drink and drug problems, who would supposedly say anything to get help. However, the evidence presented in court painted a starkly different picture of a manipulative predator.
As the hearing concluded, Judge George Barhurst Norman remanded Smith into custody until August 14. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, indicating that he was considering the possibility of an indefinite sentence. The court awaits psychiatric and pre-sentence reports before making a final decision on Smith’s future incarceration, but the warning was clear: Smith faces the prospect of life behind bars for his heinous crimes.
Smith's criminal history is extensive. He was previously sentenced to four years in prison at Preston Crown Court in 1991 for the sexual abuse of two boys whom he had taken back to his residence in Morecambe. Despite this prior conviction, he continued to commit offenses, with evidence indicating that he has committed more than 100 crimes of a sexual nature across various locations in the United Kingdom since 1981.
During the recent trial, the jury was presented with a detailed account of Smith’s modus operandi. Prosecutor Mr. David Jeremy explained that Smith had developed a deliberate and calculated system to attract and exploit vulnerable young men. His method involved impersonating a bus driver, a role he assumed in Morecambe as well as other towns and cities, to gain the trust of his victims.
The court heard how Smith would use this false identity to lure young men, primarily those in their teens or early twenties, with the youngest victim being only 15 years old. All of these young men came from broken homes and were desperately seeking employment opportunities. Smith would invite them to his flat under the pretense of filling out forms or undergoing medical examinations, claiming that physical strength and fitness were necessary qualities for a bus driver.
Once inside his residence, Smith would instruct the young men to remove their clothing. He would then proceed to fondle them, an act described by the prosecution as a “charade,” noting that Smith lacked any medical qualifications or legitimate reason for such procedures. Some victims refused his advances, but others felt compelled to comply, believing that cooperation was a prerequisite for securing employment or opportunities.
The court was told that in some cases, the sexual assaults escalated into more serious attacks. Smith would often ply his victims with alcohol and offer money, further coercing them into compliance. These acts of abuse were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of exploitation that spanned years.
When arrested, Smith attempted to portray himself as a benevolent figure, claiming to be a “Good Samaritan” who helped young homeless people at soup kitchens and hostels. He painted a picture of himself as someone aiding vulnerable youths with drink and drug problems, who would supposedly say anything to get help. However, the evidence presented in court painted a starkly different picture of a manipulative predator.
As the hearing concluded, Judge George Barhurst Norman remanded Smith into custody until August 14. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, indicating that he was considering the possibility of an indefinite sentence. The court awaits psychiatric and pre-sentence reports before making a final decision on Smith’s future incarceration, but the warning was clear: Smith faces the prospect of life behind bars for his heinous crimes.