Croydon Crown Court have heard of how a London taxi driver, drugged and sexually assaulted at least 14 women in the back of his cab, during a two year period.

The court was told how John Worboys, 51, allegedly used date rape drugs to spike their drinks, having lured the lone women into the back of his black cab, before leaving them with memory loss and unable to recall the assaults they had suffered.

Worboys, who denies the 23 charges of doping with intent, rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault, allegedly told his multiple victims that he had won the jackpot in a casino or on the lottery, before inviting them to celebrate with him.

It is claimed he laced the pre-prepared glass of champagne with 'date rape' drug Temazapam, then waited before preying on his passengers, who were unable to resist his sexual advances or remember any details of the terrifying episode.

Prosecutor Johannah Cutts QC told the court: "His primary purpose had nothing to do with taking them home. His primary purpose, we say, was wholly sexual in nature. His intent was to ensure that they were completely at his mercy and then to sexually molest them.”

It is alleged that Worboys would scour the streets of the West End scouting for girls on their way home after a night of drinking.

The court heard he would keep a bag full of cash and a pair of champagne glasses on the front seat with him to support his fantasy that he had come into a large sum of money.

The court then heard that Worboys also kept a 'tool kit' to 'stupefy and sexually assault' his passengers in the back of his taxi.

Police found condoms and a vibrator along with boxes of white wine and strong spirits with plastic cups after the car was searched at his riverside home.

Packets of sedative with hypnotic effects, along with 'date rape' drug Temazapam were also found. Traces of both drugs were found in the urine of some of his alleged victims, the court was told.

DNA taken from the sex toy was forensically tested and found to match an alleged victim who had been a passenger with him on February 1.

Jurors were told that the tool kit showed the level of planning Worboys had gone to, before carrying out his attacks. Miss Cutts added: "The combination of these items, many of which you would not expect together in the bags in the boot of his car, show how prepared the defendant was. Mr Worboys was not opportunistic. He knew what he wanted and he was prepared."

Worboys was arrested on February 15 last year after one of his victims identified him, having had a 'suspicious' journey home from London Bridge to Twickenham early last year.

He denies all charges.