London taxi rapist jailed

Fathers, a reminder to always be on guard, not only for your girls. Boys have their own set of dangers and hazards to be wary of… better safe than sorry.

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Driver of black cab attacked women for 18 months

LONDON — The driver of one of London's iconic black cabs was sentenced to at least eight years in prison yesterday for an 18-month campaign of rape and assault against his female passengers.

Prosecutors said John Worboys, 51, repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted women who had been out late drinking, telling them he had won some cash while gambling and inviting them to join him in a celebratory glass of champagne.

Secreted inside the drinks were sedatives and those who joined him in a drink often remembered little of what happened next. However, one woman told the court that what should have been a 40-minute trip home took three hours.

Some women were left with semen stains on their clothes, while items or DNA from other victims was found by police at the accused's home.

Worboys denied the charges but he was found guilty last month of assaulting 12 women. More women have come forward since then and detectives have linked him to at least 85 crimes.

The assaults were particularly troubling because black cabs, the distinctive sedans that ferry busy Londoners across the city, are advertised as one of the capital's safest forms of transport, particularly for women.

Black cab drivers undergo rigorous testing and are subject to criminal checks. The black cabs often touted as a safe alternative to unregulated cabs that try to poach customers by undercutting official rates.

Justice David Penry-Davey told Worboys that he had abused the "worldwide reputation'' of the drivers for reliability and trustworthiness.

The judge said Worboys would have to serve eight years in prison and that he could be held longer if officials felt that he remained a threat to women.

Police have been widely criticised for mishandling the case. An opportunity to end the sex-assault spree was missed when Worboys was arrested in July 2007 after a 19-year-old student reported having a pill forced into her mouth after sharing a drink with him. Police did not act on toxicology tests showing suspicious drugs in her blood and did not bother searching his home or examining his vehicle to check his story.

Britain's police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, is investigating that aspect of the case.

Money raised from the sale of the black cab will be split among his victims. AP

From TODAY, World – Wednesday, 22-April-2009