A survivor of the notorious black cab attacker, John Worboys, is determined to ensure he remains behind bars as his case is depicted in a prominent ITV drama airing tonight. Becki Houlston, one of the many victims believed to have been drugged by Worboys due to police oversights, is resolute in her fight to keep him imprisoned. Worboys, operating as a black cab driver between 2002 and 2008, drugged and assaulted multiple women, with police initially failing to connect the incidents.
Despite several reports from victims, including Becki, the authorities did not take appropriate action against Worboys. Even when he was apprehended after attacking a young student, investigative mishaps ensued, leading to his release and subsequent assaults on more women. Becki, sharing her unsettling experience ahead of the ITV drama “Believe Me,” expressed her ongoing uncertainty about the extent of the assault she endured.
She collaborated with the creators of the TV series to support efforts in preventing Worboys’ potential release. Reflecting on the complexities of the case, Becki highlighted the challenge of finding closure and safety amidst the lingering uncertainties. Worboys’ arrest in 2007 for assaulting a woman went unnoticed, with critical evidence overlooked, delaying proper investigation until 2008 when the connections between the attacks were finally acknowledged.
Worboys was eventually convicted in 2009 for attacking multiple women, but a controversial parole decision in 2017 sparked public outrage, leading to its reversal. Subsequently, in 2019, he received a life sentence for additional crimes under the name John Radford, and a new parole hearing is scheduled. Becki, determined to prevent Worboys’ potential release, recounted her encounter with him in 2002, emphasizing the manipulative tactics he used to incapacitate her.
Her decision to come forward in 2018, prompted by seeing Worboys in the media, signifies her commitment to seeking justice and keeping him incarcerated. Through her advocacy and the retelling of her story in the TV drama, Becki aims to empower other victims to speak out. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the grave errors in handling the case, leading to reforms in investigating sexual offenses and enhancing focus on offenders and their behaviors.