Black cab rapist John Worboys LOSES appeal to shorten life sentences for drugging and attacking female passengers Updated: 24 Feb 2021, 15:15 BLACK cab rapist John Worboys has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his life sentence for spiking the drinks of four women. 4 Black cab rapist John Worboys had appealed his life sentences for attacking women but was knocked backCredit: PA:Press Association He was jailed in 2009 for 19 sex attacks on 12 women. Announcing the decision today, Lord Chief Justice, Baron Burnett of Maldon, said: "This applicant is now known as John Radford but was formerly known as John Worboys and as such became notorious as the black cab rapist.