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22/04/2009
Sex Assault Cab Driver Jailed 'Indefinitely'
A taxi driver who drugged and sexually assaulted women passengers over a period of six years, has been jailed indefinitely.
John Worboys, 51, was told at Croydon Crown Court he would serve a minimum of eight years, after last month he was found guilty of assaulting 12 over a period of 18 months.
However, Worboys has been linked to 85 other attacks and police say he could have sexually assaulted or raped more than 200 women.
Police believe the black-cab driver and former stripper could be one of Britain's most prolific sex attackers.
Senior officers said they will interview Worboys in prison in an attempt to resolve dozens of unsolved sex crimes.
Many of the 51-year-old's victims were young and had been drinking at bars and clubs in the capital when they hailed a black cab to get home in the early hours of the morning.
Sentencing Worboys, the judge said: "Drivers of licensed black cabs in London have a worldwide reputation not only for the reliability of their driving but for their professional trustworthiness.
"As somebody with an enduring and powerful interest in sexual matters you saw an opportunity through cab driving.
"You developed and perfected a web of deceit that was sufficient to ensnare young, intelligent and sensible women who had enjoyed a night out and whose only mistake, as it turned out, was to get into your cab late at night."
Police in Plumstead, southeast London, missed a key opportunity to end Worboys' offending when they arrested him in July 2007 over an attack on a 19-year-old student.
During the trial it emerged detectives did not act on incriminating evidence of toxicology that found suspicious drugs in the victim's blood, and also failed to search Worboys' Rotherhithe home.
Several police officers face disciplinary action after an inquiry was launched by the Independent Police Complaints.
(JM/BMcC)
John Worboys, 51, was told at Croydon Crown Court he would serve a minimum of eight years, after last month he was found guilty of assaulting 12 over a period of 18 months.
However, Worboys has been linked to 85 other attacks and police say he could have sexually assaulted or raped more than 200 women.
Police believe the black-cab driver and former stripper could be one of Britain's most prolific sex attackers.
Senior officers said they will interview Worboys in prison in an attempt to resolve dozens of unsolved sex crimes.
Many of the 51-year-old's victims were young and had been drinking at bars and clubs in the capital when they hailed a black cab to get home in the early hours of the morning.
Sentencing Worboys, the judge said: "Drivers of licensed black cabs in London have a worldwide reputation not only for the reliability of their driving but for their professional trustworthiness.
"As somebody with an enduring and powerful interest in sexual matters you saw an opportunity through cab driving.
"You developed and perfected a web of deceit that was sufficient to ensnare young, intelligent and sensible women who had enjoyed a night out and whose only mistake, as it turned out, was to get into your cab late at night."
Police in Plumstead, southeast London, missed a key opportunity to end Worboys' offending when they arrested him in July 2007 over an attack on a 19-year-old student.
During the trial it emerged detectives did not act on incriminating evidence of toxicology that found suspicious drugs in the victim's blood, and also failed to search Worboys' Rotherhithe home.
Several police officers face disciplinary action after an inquiry was launched by the Independent Police Complaints.
(JM/BMcC)
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27 February 2012
Unlicensed Cab Driver Jailed For Sexual Assaults
An unlicensed cab driver has been sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court today following sexual assaults on two women in Kingston and Chelsea in 2010. Amir Bhatti, 33, of Cranford Lane, Hounslow pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of theft in October 2011. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonemnet for public protection.
Unlicensed Cab Driver Jailed For Sexual Assaults
An unlicensed cab driver has been sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court today following sexual assaults on two women in Kingston and Chelsea in 2010. Amir Bhatti, 33, of Cranford Lane, Hounslow pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of theft in October 2011. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonemnet for public protection.
25 October 2010
Safer Transport At Night Campaign Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Cab Enforcement Unit, part of the Transport for London (TfL) funded Safer Transport Command (STC), have made more than 100 arrests in a bid to tackle illegal cab drivers in London. As part of the Operation Safer Travel at Night (STaN), officers increased night-time patrols over three weekends.
Safer Transport At Night Campaign Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Cab Enforcement Unit, part of the Transport for London (TfL) funded Safer Transport Command (STC), have made more than 100 arrests in a bid to tackle illegal cab drivers in London. As part of the Operation Safer Travel at Night (STaN), officers increased night-time patrols over three weekends.
13 March 2009
London Cab Driver Guilty Of Sex Attacks
A London taxi driver has been found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting women in his cab. John Worboys, of Rotherhithe, south-east London, was today found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 female passengers in the back of his cab. One of the charges included a count of rape.
London Cab Driver Guilty Of Sex Attacks
A London taxi driver has been found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting women in his cab. John Worboys, of Rotherhithe, south-east London, was today found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 female passengers in the back of his cab. One of the charges included a count of rape.
25 June 2012
Taxi Driver Rapist Victims In Damages Case Setback
Victims of black cab rapist John Worboys have lost a crucial step in their High Court battle for damages. John Worboys, 54, was convicted in 2009 of drugging and sexually assaulting women while working as a licensed London taxi driver.
Taxi Driver Rapist Victims In Damages Case Setback
Victims of black cab rapist John Worboys have lost a crucial step in their High Court battle for damages. John Worboys, 54, was convicted in 2009 of drugging and sexually assaulting women while working as a licensed London taxi driver.
01 July 2014
Thousands Of Unemployed Scots Left In Poverty - CAS
Thousands of sick, disabled and unemployed people from Scotland are being left in poverty as their benefit payments are stopped. In a new report published today by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) shows that many people hit by benefit 'sanctions' are forced into poverty and ill health, often having to rely on foodbanks.
Thousands Of Unemployed Scots Left In Poverty - CAS
Thousands of sick, disabled and unemployed people from Scotland are being left in poverty as their benefit payments are stopped. In a new report published today by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) shows that many people hit by benefit 'sanctions' are forced into poverty and ill health, often having to rely on foodbanks.
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