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Cab driver 'assaulted' new mother Cab driver 'assaulted' new mother
(about 3 hours later)
A taxi driver drugged and sexually attacked a mother on her first night out since the birth of her child, a court has been told.A taxi driver drugged and sexually attacked a mother on her first night out since the birth of her child, a court has been told.
John Worboys, 51, agreed to pick up the 36-year-old woman in London Bridge and take her home to Twickenham, south-west London, Croydon Crown Court heard.John Worboys, 51, agreed to pick up the 36-year-old woman in London Bridge and take her home to Twickenham, south-west London, Croydon Crown Court heard.
He is accused of targeting 14 women in his black cab.He is accused of targeting 14 women in his black cab.
He denies 23 charges including rape and sexual assault between October 2006 and February 2008.He denies 23 charges including rape and sexual assault between October 2006 and February 2008.
The prosecution claimed the mother was the 12th victim of Mr Worboys, from Rotherhithe, south-east London.The prosecution claimed the mother was the 12th victim of Mr Worboys, from Rotherhithe, south-east London.
He was asked to make sure the woman, who was on maternity leave after having a daughter several months earlier, got home safely, the court was told. I just felt his hand at the top of my leg and that was when I suddenly opened my eyes and started shouting First victim Prosecutor Johannah Cutts QC said: "Worboys knew that he had a woman alone in his cab who had been drinking and who wanted to travel a little distance."
She felt the situation was surreal and asked him if this was all a joke and there would be a camera somewhere Prosecutor Johannah Cutts QC Mr Worboys allegedly told her he had won £33,000 gambling and offered her a glass of champagne and a reduced fare home.
Prosecutor Johannah Cutts QC said: "Worboys knew that he had a woman alone in his cab who had been drinking and who wanted to travel a little distance. He used a similar ruse to persuade a string of young women to consume alcoholic drinks spiked with sedatives, the jury heard.
"She was, from his point of view, an ideal target." As the sedatives took effect he allegedly attacked her in a quiet road near her home.
Mr Worboys allegedly told the woman he had won £33,000 gambling and offered her a glass of champagne and a reduced fare home. The court heard the mother lost consciousness after asking him whether it was a "joke" and a camera was hidden somewhere.
He used a similar ruse to persuade a string of young women to consume alcoholic drinks spiked with sedatives, the court has heard. She was later discovered by her fiance slumped by the toilet in their home in the early hours of the morning.
As the sedatives began to take effect, the woman was taken to a quiet road near her home and remembers asking Mr Worboys why they were there. 'Generous' offer
Miss Cutts said he replied: "Because if your husband knew, he would punch me."
Found slumped
The prosecutor added: "She felt the situation was surreal and asked him if this was all a joke and there would be a camera somewhere.
"He told her it was no joke. It is at this point that she lost consciousness."
She was discovered by her fiance slumped by the toilet in their home in the early hours of the morning. She was unable to move her legs.
Investigators found traces of Temazepam in Miss Cutts, but she said she had never taken it before.
Miss Cutts said her address was found in a notebook owned by Mr Worboys, as were those of several of his other alleged victims.Miss Cutts said her address was found in a notebook owned by Mr Worboys, as were those of several of his other alleged victims.
The jury also heard from his alleged first victim who said he picked her up outside a convenience store in October 2006 and made a "generous" offer of a free lift home.
The woman, now 26, said he gave her two tablets when she complained of a headache and offered her champagne.
"I obviously had my defences down and was just quite enjoying this rather strange late-night drink."
Soon she felt disorientated and could not remember her boyfriend's address who later told her how unintelligible her messages left on the phone were.
"The next thing I remember is him being in the back trying to put his hand up my skirt... and that was when I suddenly opened my eyes and started shouting."
She picked out Mr Worboys in a video identification parade
The cab driver also denies administering a substance with intent.The cab driver also denies administering a substance with intent.
The trial continues.The trial continues.