Carrie Johnson, the wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has stated that there could be as many as 1,000 or more victims of the notorious black-cab rapist John Worboys. Johnson, who played a key role in bringing the serial sex attacker to justice, revealed that she has been contacted by additional women who believe they were assaulted by him.
Worboys' Criminal History and Parole Refusal
John Worboys is currently serving a life sentence for drugging women in his taxi after offering them spiked drinks under the pretense of having won money. He was originally convicted in 2009 of 19 sexual offences against 12 women between October 2006 and February 2008, receiving an indefinite sentence for public protection with a minimum term of eight years. In 2019, after more victims came forward regarding crimes he admitted to between 2000 and 2008, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of six years.
Last week, the Parole Board ruled that Worboys "continues to represent a high risk of committing further serious sexual offences against women," leading to a refusal of parole. Johnson described this decision as a "huge relief" for many survivors.
Carrie Johnson's Personal Encounter with Worboys
In 2007, Johnson, then a 19-year-old university student, encountered Worboys after a night out in Chelsea while waiting for a night bus to her mother's home in southwest London. He offered her a ride for £5. During the journey, he presented her with a glass of champagne, claiming he had won money at a casino. Suspecting foul play, Johnson secretly poured the champagne onto the taxi floor. Worboys later stopped near Putney Common, a dark and deserted area, and returned with vodka, insisting she take a shot. She managed to escape by telling him her mother was waiting, and he gave her his phone number for future rides. After arriving home, Johnson passed out in the bathroom.
Johnson later came forward during the investigation, identified Worboys in a lineup, and provided police with his phone number. Her actions helped bring further victims forward.
Call for More Victims to Come Forward
Johnson urged other potential victims to come forward, especially after an ITV dramatisation of the case prompted more women to contact her. She emphasized that some women may have been drugged without realizing it, attributing their symptoms to a bad drink. Worboys will be eligible for parole consideration again in approximately two years.
