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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
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| Cab driver guilty of sex attacks | Cab driver guilty of sex attacks |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A taxi driver has been convicted of 12 charges of drugging women, six of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault and one charge of rape. | |
| John Worboys, of Rotherhithe, south-east London, gave them alcohol laced with sedatives after claiming he had won large amounts of money at casinos. | John Worboys, of Rotherhithe, south-east London, gave them alcohol laced with sedatives after claiming he had won large amounts of money at casinos. |
| He had denied 23 charges, committed between July 2007 and February 2008. | He had denied 23 charges, committed between July 2007 and February 2008. |
| The 51-year-old spent 18 months preying on women he picked up at night in the West End, Croydon Crown Court heard. | The 51-year-old spent 18 months preying on women he picked up at night in the West End, Croydon Crown Court heard. |
| You must be under no illusion that this case requires and will get a very substantial term of imprisonment Mr Justice Penry-Davey Cabbie preyed on young womenWoman's lift with attacker Worboys | You must be under no illusion that this case requires and will get a very substantial term of imprisonment Mr Justice Penry-Davey Cabbie preyed on young womenWoman's lift with attacker Worboys |
| Worboys sedated 12 women, raping one of them, carrying out other sexual assaults on five more and an attempted sexual assault on another. | Worboys sedated 12 women, raping one of them, carrying out other sexual assaults on five more and an attempted sexual assault on another. |
| He was cleared on two counts of drugging women and wept as he was convicted of one count of rape. | He was cleared on two counts of drugging women and wept as he was convicted of one count of rape. |
| Mr Justice Penry-Davey addressed the defendant, saying: "You have heard already that I do not intend to sentence you today. | Mr Justice Penry-Davey addressed the defendant, saying: "You have heard already that I do not intend to sentence you today. |
| "I am putting the case back for a pre-sentencing report and also a psychiatric report. | "I am putting the case back for a pre-sentencing report and also a psychiatric report. |
| "You must be under no illusion that this case requires and will get a very substantial term of imprisonment." | "You must be under no illusion that this case requires and will get a very substantial term of imprisonment." |
| Worboys will be sentenced on 21 April. | Worboys will be sentenced on 21 April. |
| 'Rape kit' | 'Rape kit' |
| Prosecutors said the experienced licensed hackney cab driver targeted 14 women in total over 18 months until his arrest in February last year. | Prosecutors said the experienced licensed hackney cab driver targeted 14 women in total over 18 months until his arrest in February last year. |
| Police seized bottles of spiked alcohol following the arrest of Worboys Timeline: Cab driver's attacks | Police seized bottles of spiked alcohol following the arrest of Worboys Timeline: Cab driver's attacks |
| The defendant drove around looking for women who had already been drinking to offer heavily discounted or free lifts home, the jury was told. | The defendant drove around looking for women who had already been drinking to offer heavily discounted or free lifts home, the jury was told. |
| He often claimed he lived in the same area as his victims and was concerned they would be approached by illegal minicab drivers. | He often claimed he lived in the same area as his victims and was concerned they would be approached by illegal minicab drivers. |
| He would explain how he had won money on the lottery or at a casino. | He would explain how he had won money on the lottery or at a casino. |
| Then he would show them a carrier bag full of cash before offering them a drink to celebrate. | Then he would show them a carrier bag full of cash before offering them a drink to celebrate. |
| But these drinks were mixed with sedatives and his victims were unable to prevent him assaulting them, the court heard. | But these drinks were mixed with sedatives and his victims were unable to prevent him assaulting them, the court heard. |
| The court was told many women were left with little memory of their ordeals and could only recall falling asleep in the back of the vehicle before waking up at home. | The court was told many women were left with little memory of their ordeals and could only recall falling asleep in the back of the vehicle before waking up at home. |
| Some were left with flashbacks and vague memories of Worboys sitting beside them and adjusting their clothing. | Some were left with flashbacks and vague memories of Worboys sitting beside them and adjusting their clothing. |
| One woman remembered being raped, a second woke up to find him with his hand up her skirt and a third said he exposed himself. | One woman remembered being raped, a second woke up to find him with his hand up her skirt and a third said he exposed himself. |
| Detective Inspector Dave Reid asks for other women to come forward | Detective Inspector Dave Reid asks for other women to come forward |
| Worboys admitted lying to the women and offering them drinks but claimed he did it because he craved female attention in the wake of a series of failed relationships. | Worboys admitted lying to the women and offering them drinks but claimed he did it because he craved female attention in the wake of a series of failed relationships. |
| But police discovered a "rape kit", including gloves, alcohol, glasses, drugs, condoms and a sex toy concealed in a plastic bag in another vehicle at his home. | But police discovered a "rape kit", including gloves, alcohol, glasses, drugs, condoms and a sex toy concealed in a plastic bag in another vehicle at his home. |
| Outside the court, Det Insp Dave Reid, of the Metropolitan Police, praised the courage of the 14 women who gave evidence in court. | Outside the court, Det Insp Dave Reid, of the Metropolitan Police, praised the courage of the 14 women who gave evidence in court. |
| Inquiry ordered | Inquiry ordered |
| He also urged other women who thought they may have been a victim of Worboys to contact a special telephone hotline - 0800 1214441. | He also urged other women who thought they may have been a victim of Worboys to contact a special telephone hotline - 0800 1214441. |
| One victim, Carrie Symonds, waived her right to anonymity and said Worboys was, "obviously a very sad, deluded person". | One victim, Carrie Symonds, waived her right to anonymity and said Worboys was, "obviously a very sad, deluded person". |
| "I hate that it's being played down that he's just a weirdo. He's more than a weirdo, he's very, very, very dangerous." | "I hate that it's being played down that he's just a weirdo. He's more than a weirdo, he's very, very, very dangerous." |
| Meanwhile an independent investigation has been ordered by the Metropolitan Police after it emerged Worboys was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in July 2007 but no further action was taken. | Meanwhile an independent investigation has been ordered by the Metropolitan Police after it emerged Worboys was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in July 2007 but no further action was taken. |
| Worboys' taxi was examined by forensic experts following his arrest | Worboys' taxi was examined by forensic experts following his arrest |
| He was held at a police station in Plumstead, south-east London, but released on bail. | He was held at a police station in Plumstead, south-east London, but released on bail. |
| In February 2008 he was arrested for a second time, which led to the charges on which he was convicted. | In February 2008 he was arrested for a second time, which led to the charges on which he was convicted. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission will examine the way the case was handled. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission will examine the way the case was handled. |
| Bob Oddy from the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association insisted black cabs were safe, despite Worboys' conviction. | Bob Oddy from the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association insisted black cabs were safe, despite Worboys' conviction. |
| "This man has really let the side down. It won't happen again and you can be confident the next taxi you stop will get you to your destination safely." | "This man has really let the side down. It won't happen again and you can be confident the next taxi you stop will get you to your destination safely." |