Black cab rapist John Worboys loses appeal against life sentence

Court of Appeal dismisses claim life with minimum term of six years was ‘excessive’

The 63-year-old was jailed for life with a minimum term of six years at the Old Bailey in December 2019 (PA)

Black cab rapist John Worboys has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his life sentence.

The 63-year-old was jailed for life with a minimum term of six years at the Old Bailey in December 2019 after he admitted spiking the drinks of four women.

Worboys, who now goes by the name John Radford, was already behind bars at the time, having been locked up indefinitely for public protection with a minimum term of eight years in 2009, after he was found guilty of 19 sex offences against 12 women between 2006 and 2008.

At a hearing in London on Wednesday, his lawyers challenged his most recent sentence.

Joanne Cecil, representing Worboys, argued the judge who sentenced him in 2019 was wrong to impose a life sentence as he was already serving a sentence of imprisonment for public protection – which means he cannot be released until the Parole Board concludes he no longer poses a danger.

The barrister also said the six-year minimum term was “excessive”.

But the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and two other judges rejected Worboys appeal bid.

Police believe the former male stripper committed offences against more than 100 women before he was caught.

A Parole Board decision to release him was overturned by the High Court in March 2018 after two of his victims challenged the decision.

A different Parole Board panel concluded in November of that year that he should remain in prison, citing his “sense of sexual entitlement”.

As a result of the publicity, more victims came forward to report attacks dating back to 2000, meaning Worboys had been committing crimes up to six years longer than previously thought.

He was charged with further offences in May 2019 and admitted two counts of administering a drug with intent to commit rape or indecent assault, and two counts of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Additional reporting by PA