CPS refuses to review rape case of woman attacked by John Worboys

Prosecutors have refused to review the case of a woman who was attacked by Black Cab rapist John Worboys.

The victim, who can only be identified as DSD, was told this week her case would not be heard even though new evidence had emerged that she had been drugged.

The woman claims she was raped by the serial sex attacker in 2003 but Worboys was never charged.

She sued Worboys in the civil courts and received compensation, but he did not admit he raped her.

Earlier this year the married mother-of-three asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to rethink its decision and charge Worboys with rape.

DSD told Sky News: "I'm furious about the turn of events.

"Why are we having to fight so hard to get justice here? They say they will give us justice, but then at the same time they are sticking to their guns.

"I got a phone call from a police officer yesterday afternoon telling me they would not review the decision. It just feels like we are going round and round in circles."

Worboys was arrested in 2008, but DSD's case was not among the 12 taken to court.

The CPS decided not to overload the indictment against Worboys by prosecuting him for every attack.

Dozens of women were told the prosecution would be more powerful if the court heard only the strongest cases.

Worboys was convicted of one rape, five sexual assaults, an attempted assault and 12 drugging charges.

He was given an indeterminate sentence - but late in 2017 the parole board decided it was safe to release him after he had served only 10 years in prison.

A number of women whose cases were not brought to court have asked the CPS to reconsider bringing new charges, but prosecutors insist they can only bring charges where there are new cases put forward.

In January the CPS said if cases did not pass "the evidential test" at the time they were put before prosecutors, the victims would have to present new evidence before they would consider prosecuting.

DSD said in her case new evidence had been produced, including a toxicology report that proved she had been drugged.

She said: "The police always said no drugs were found in my system, but it was confirmed during the civil proceeding that there were Nytol and anti-depressants in my system."

She said that even before the toxicology report she was told her case was strong enough to be taken to court.

"The only reason the CPS apparently didn't pick me is because I couldn't identify his picture," she said.

"A lot of the victims couldn't identify his picture. A lot of victims couldn't identify him. They went for the ones that ticked the boxes because they didn't want any doubts."

DSD, who received a payout from the Metropolitan Police for "their gross failings" in handling the Worboys investigation, said her case needed to be heard because Worboys was convicted of only one rape.

She said: "It wasn't a sexual assault, it was rape and he was only ever convicted of one. We are all convinced that he will come out and reoffend. No woman is safe."

A CPS spokesman said: "The CPS has been providing early investigative advice to the Metropolitan Police but no files have been submitted for a charging decision."

A judicial review is currently taking place to decide whether the Parole's Board's decision to release Worboys was lawful.