Black cab rapist admits sex attacks on four more women given two life sentences

John Worboys the black cab rapist has been handed two life sentences with a minimum term of six years, adding to the indefinite prison sentence he is already serving for raping women in his black cab.

The 62-year-old, who is now known as John Radford, was jailed in 2009 for assaults on 12 women in London.

But after the public outcry caused by the parole board ruling he was safe to be freed,  four more victims came forward.

Sentencing Worboys at the Old Bailey, Mrs Justice McGowan said she did not know when “if ever you will cease to be a risk”.

Black cab rapist John Worboys had “fantasised” about attacking women since 1986 and remains just as dangerous as ever, a court has heard.

In 2009, Worboys was originally locked up indefinitely for the public protection with a minimum of eight years after being found guilty of 19 sex offences against 12 women between 2006 and 2008.   He had picked up his victims in London’s West End and plied them with champagne laced with sedatives on the pretext of celebrating a lottery or casino win.

Last year, the Parole Board decided to overturn his release and ruled that he should remain in prison, citing his “sense of sexual entitlement”.

The first victim said she was attacked after she got into his cab when she left a wine bar in Dover Street, Mayfair in 2000 or 2001.

Mr Polnay earlier said the second victim was a university student in London in 2003 when she was targeted after leaving a nightclub on New Oxford Street in what was “an identical method not only to the first count but a number of previous convictions and allegations three and four”.

All the women made their allegations to police in early 2018.

Detective Chief Inspector Ann-Marie Waller, of the Met’s Central Specialist Crime command, said: 

“Radford’s criminal history and predatory nature is well-documented and the disgust and anger about his serial offending will endure for years to come.

“Like all of his victims, the four women who saw justice done today were passengers in his taxi and were incapacitated by a drink offered to them by Radford on false pretences, and for his own sexual gratification.

“They have shown incredible courage and bravery in re-living their ordeals and reporting the crimes committed against them to police. I hope that they feel safer in the knowledge that Radford will spend more time behind bars for his crimes.

“When these offences were reported in 2018, officers were resolute in carrying out a thorough investigation and building the strongest possible case against Radford, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the case was brought before the courts.

“We would urge any victims of serious sexual offences who have not reported the crimes committed against them to police, for whatever reason, to come forward. These types of cases are often complex and challenging, but officers will always take allegations seriously and investigate them thoroughly, whilst doing the utmost to bring offenders to justice and support victims.”