John Worboys: Black cab driver appears in court accused of drugging four female passengers
Sixty-two-year old accused of targeting four women between 2000 and 2008 in London
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A former black cab driver drugged four women in an attempt to sexually assault them, a court has heard.
John Worboys told the women he had won money gambling after picking them up in his taxi between 2000 and 2008 in London, prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The 62-year-old offered them alcoholic drinks, such as champagne, which were laced with a sedative, they alleged.
Appearing in court via a video feed, Worboys gave his name as John Derek Radford, his nationality as British and said he currently resided in HMP Wakefield.
The first victim was allegedly picked up in Worboys' taxi after leaving a bar.
He claimed to have won money on horse racing and formerly been a stripper, before offering her an alcoholic drink laced with drugs in a plastic cup, the court heard.
Worboys is alleged to have used similar tactics to drug the other women.
He is charged with two counts of administering a stupefying or overpowering drug with intent to commit rape or indecent assault, and two of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Worboys made notes during the hearing but did not indicate pleas to the charges.
District Judge Michael Snow sent the case to London's Old Bailey, where Worboys is next expected to appear by video feed on 20 June.
Additional reporting by Press Association