EPISODE · Jun 2, 2026 · 1H 3M
John Worboys: The Black Cab Rapist — with Special Guest Carrie Johnson
from True Criminals · host Audio Bleach Global
A black cab was once considered the safest way home. For dozens of women, that faith was destroyed by one of Britain’s most prolific sexual predators. In this special episode, we speak to Carrie Johnson, who was 19 when she got into a London black cab driven by the convicted serial rapist John Worboys. Johnson recounts the night she accepted what seemed an ordinary lift home, her role as a key witness at Worboys’ trial, and her later campaign to overturn the decision to release him from prison. She reflects on the culture of disbelief many victims faced and the fight that forced greater transparency from the parole system. The case has returned to the spotlight with ITV’s Believe Me, a drama told from the victims’ perspective. Since speaking publicly about her experience and following the series’ broadcast, Johnson says around 10 women have contacted her believing they may also have encountered Worboys. Some believe they were drugged. Others say they were assaulted. Several say they reported their experiences to police but were told their evidence was not needed. For Johnson, the question remains unresolved: has the true scale of Worboys’ offending ever been fully understood? Information for Potential Witnesses and Victims Any woman who believes she may have been in Worboys' cab and had a similar experience, or anyone with information that could assist investigators, is urged to call 101 and quote Operation Safford. The Metropolitan Police have also created a dedicated reference number: CAD 4648/23MAY26. Quoting this reference will help call handlers identify the nature of the call more quickly. Those who would prefer to make contact by email can do so at [email protected]. ...................................... Support the Show Listen ad free and unlock our full catalogue, plus receive a True Criminals coffee mug, by joining us on Patreon: Patreon: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you'd like to help, you can also make a donation via PayPal: PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Instagram: @true.criminals YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals X: @skymartinbrunt Find out more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. For more information, visit: truecriminals.co.uk Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
A black cab was once considered the safest way home. For dozens of women, that faith was destroyed by one of Britain’s most prolific sexual predators. In this special episode, we speak to Carrie Johnson, who was 19 when she got into a London black cab driven by the convicted serial rapist John Worboys. Johnson recounts the night she accepted what seemed an ordinary lift home, her role as a key witness at Worboys’ trial, and her later campaign to overturn the decision to release him from prison. She reflects on the culture of disbelief many victims faced and the fight that forced greater transparency from the parole system. The case has returned to the spotlight with ITV’s Believe Me, a drama told from the victims’ perspective. Since speaking publicly about her experience and following the series’ broadcast, Johnson says around 10 women have contacted her believing they may also have encountered Worboys. Some believe they were drugged. Others say they were assaulted. Several say they reported their experiences to police but were told their evidence was not needed. For Johnson, the question remains unresolved: has the true scale of Worboys’ offending ever been fully understood? Information for Potential Witnesses and Victims Any woman who believes she may have been in Worboys' cab and had a similar experience, or anyone with information that could assist investigators, is urged to call 101 and quote Operation Safford. The Metropolitan Police have also created a dedicated reference number: CAD 4648/23MAY26. Quoting this reference will help call handlers identify the nature of the call more quickly. Those who would prefer to make contact by email can do so at [email protected]. ...................................... Support the Show Listen ad free and unlock our full catalogue, plus receive a True Criminals coffee mug, by joining us on Patreon: Patreon: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you'd like to help, you can also make a donation via PayPal: PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Instagram: @true.criminals YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals X: @skymartinbrunt Find out more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. For more information, visit: truecriminals.co.uk Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
John Worboys: The Black Cab Rapist — with Special Guest Carrie Johnson
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.