Could a routine review miss crucial evidence for years? Delve into a chilling investigation as a detective grapple with a series of unsolved cases. A disturbing pattern emerges involving a black cab driver, drugged champagne, and vulnerable passengers.
This episode of Believe Me uncovers the painstaking efforts to connect the dots and bring a predator to justice. Witness the frustrations of a stalled investigation and the race against time to prevent further attacks.
Discover the critical oversight that allowed a serial offender to continue his crimes undetected. Explore the psychological impact on victims and the immense pressure on law enforcement to build a solid case.
#BelieveMeSeries #CrimeInvestigation #SerialAttacker #TrueCrime
This episode of Believe Me uncovers the painstaking efforts to connect the dots and bring a predator to justice. Witness the frustrations of a stalled investigation and the race against time to prevent further attacks.
Discover the critical oversight that allowed a serial offender to continue his crimes undetected. Explore the psychological impact on victims and the immense pressure on law enforcement to build a solid case.
#BelieveMeSeries #CrimeInvestigation #SerialAttacker #TrueCrime
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:01Therefore, I do have to tell you that our investigation is being closed down.
00:05It just, it feels like you don't believe me.
00:07So this taxi driver offers you a drink and you take it?
00:10He was taking me home for a fiver. I mean, it's difficult to keep saying no.
00:14The taxi driver pushed this tablet in my mouth.
00:17If he did assault you, then it would be extremely unlikely for him to drive you home.
00:21His cab would be identified on university CCTV.
00:24They're asking how you want this designated as a crime.
00:26Just tell them not known at present.
00:30Because quite some time has passed, the substance you were given may not be present anymore in your blood.
00:36So how many times have you been out with this guy, then?
00:38Four?
00:39I'm pretty serious.
00:40Yeah, I like him.
00:42I have been informed, I love, that the Crown Prosecution Service has declined to proceed with any charges.
00:48If you would like to come and collect your clothing and possessions, I can arrange for somebody to hand them
00:52over to you.
00:53You're going to need to hang on to them because one day you're going to need them as evidence when
00:55you realise you were wrong about me.
00:59I'd like to report a rape.
01:01He's a black cab driver.
01:02Has four attacks.
01:04And we haven't really got started on a proper search.
01:11Over there.
01:12Something like that one.
01:13Can you see Mummy?
01:16Yeah.
01:17Who's that?
01:17Mummy!
01:18Hello, sweetheart.
01:20Look at that balloon.
01:22Do you want that?
01:25Do you want to say hello to your baby brother?
01:27This is Lenny.
01:28Hello, Lenny.
01:29Can I touch him?
01:30Of course you can touch him again.
01:32Good boy.
01:35Oh, big grunts.
01:37Oh, big grunts.
01:38Oh.
01:38Oh.
01:39Oh.
01:39How's it feel, Daddy?
01:40Oh.
01:41I can't believe it.
01:42What do you think?
01:44It's pretty.
01:44Yeah, it's pretty.
01:46It's very pretty.
01:47You're amazing.
01:48Mm-hmm.
01:49How are you?
01:50Yeah, my back's killing me.
01:52Bleak in milk all over the place, but...
01:54Happy.
01:56What do you think?
02:0530 grand!
02:06On a scratch card!
02:08Ha ha!
02:09I couldn't believe it!
02:10I mean, like, something like that never happens to people like me, does it?
02:14Uh, no.
02:15Never.
02:16Congratulations.
02:18Anyway, I can't drink because I'm driving, so this is on me.
02:25Cheers.
02:37No, no, I'm an idiot, really.
02:39You know, the first thing you do is you go and buy a bottle of champagne, don't you?
02:42You win money as big as that, but, like, I'm driving, aren't I?
02:45I just didn't think.
02:47I'm so excited.
02:49What am I like?
02:59You won't believe some of the stories people tell me in this cab.
03:05What guys are prepared to pay for when it comes to sex?
03:07Can you let me out, please?
03:12Look, would you say, give someone a blowjob for a lot of money?
03:17Like, you know, like, say five grand, would you give a guy a blowjob for five grand?
03:21Look, I've texted my husband.
03:23He'll be waiting for me.
03:25Yeah, you're a courteous living hell.
03:27I'd love to have sex with you.
03:29I wanna make a few quid on the side.
03:30Let me out.
03:31Open it.
03:32Think of it as a bit of a laugh, really.
03:33Let me out!
03:35Hey!
03:37That's my husband.
03:38Let me out.
03:40Open it!
03:47You're really wasting my fucking time tonight!
03:51My team has now taken over this investigation.
03:55And the number of attacks we are investigating has now risen to five.
03:59After further searches of our database revealed another possibly linked sexual assault in June 2005.
04:06So the plan is to put out a press release on Friday morning.
04:11With the object of making the women of London aware that there is potentially
04:14a serial sex attacker out there driving a black cab.
04:19Why is a link between all these attacks only just been made?
04:21Or from what you've just told me, he's been doing this for a minimum of three years.
04:25So why wasn't a link spotted before now?
04:28Aren't your team supposed to be looking for links the whole time?
04:31The link was picked up during a routine review of sexual offenses.
04:34Routine?
04:35Well, your other routine reviews couldn't have been very thorough then, could they?
04:38Not if this was missed for three years.
04:40We're doing all we can.
04:43One other question, why Friday?
04:47Why wait until Friday to get this out there?
04:50Plans have to be put in place.
04:52What about other girls going out in London tonight?
04:55They're in danger too, aren't they?
05:22They're in danger too, aren't they?
05:23You stay down there!
05:25You stay down there!
05:26What?
05:27What?
05:28What?
05:28What?
05:28What are you doing?
05:30Stop!
05:55The key information is that we believe there is a black cab driver out there
06:00Tricking women passengers into drinking a glass of champagne
06:03Which he has drugged and then sexually assaulted those women
06:08Typically he tells them he's had a win at a casino or on a lottery
06:12And that he wants them to celebrate with him
06:15Then he offers them the champagne
06:18Now we have linked five cases so far
06:21But we believe there are more
06:23Which is why we're asking anyone who recognises this method
06:26Or any method similar to this
06:28To come forward and help us identify this man
06:31I don't believe what he said to me this time
06:33I thought he was joking right
06:35But he says if I bought you a ring would you move in with me
06:38And I'm like ooh what type of ring
06:40And then he says a friendship ring
06:42What?
06:43Exactly I said you can get lost mate
06:45A friendship ring
06:46Do you want me to be your house mate?
06:48Can I get veggie sausage please?
06:49He's taking a piss isn't he?
06:51Just the one?
06:52Yeah thanks
06:53Rachel
06:55What's up?
06:58I need the supervisor
07:01A nurse?
07:02Works at a haven centre
07:04She said she saw the sun today
07:06And in July of last year
07:08They dealt with a girl with an almost identical story
07:10Driver said he won big at a casino
07:12Or for the champagne that she was convinced was corrupt
07:14But that's it
07:15That's enough six victims
07:17Yeah but the important bit
07:18Is the cab was caught on CCTV
07:20At a university halls of residence
07:22We've got a name and address for the driver
07:25John Derek Warboys
07:28Lives in Rotherhithe
07:29It's not the best
07:30Are you?
07:31Oh
07:31Ah
07:49Chris
07:50Say that
07:50Or
07:56We
07:58Molly
07:59What's all this about, mate?
08:01John Wall, boys.
08:03Yeah?
08:04I'm a police officer.
08:06Can you come down and open the door, please?
08:11Now, I've been out working all night.
08:13What do you want?
08:14Come down and open the door.
08:26What is it?
08:27I'm Derek Wall, boys.
08:29I'm arresting your suspicion of six counts of sexual assault
08:31between 2005 and 2008.
08:33You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defense.
08:35If you do not mention my question,
08:36something which you later rely on a call.
08:43We're on the way back to Sutton Liquidim now.
08:45House is being searched.
08:47Why didn't she flag, Dave?
08:50The girl that has told us about.
08:51Yeah, right.
08:52I, um, I checked that out.
08:55Seems it wasn't ever recorded as a crime.
08:57So there's no criminal intelligence report in the system.
09:00What?
09:01It was only logged as a crime-related incident.
09:03But that's against protocol.
09:05The starting point is that she should be believed.
09:09I was registered.
09:12I was registered.
09:15I was registered.
09:15It was only that.
09:17It was only that.
09:22I was registered.
09:37It was only that she said it was supposed to be happened.
09:50a suspect was arrested earlier today so we are now asking any women who think they may have been
09:56attacked by this man to please come forward they may well feel that something has happened to them
10:03we might not be certain what but it's important for everyone who recognizes this man's behavior
10:09to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency do i admit making a mistake getting into the
10:15back
10:15with her could say got in the back to help her find her stuff and she flashed her tits at
10:21me
10:23and what would you say to any women who do come forward to perhaps feeling scared or vulnerable
10:29i would say that they will be supported that they will be listened to
10:35and that they will be believed
10:41i'd go coast me over phuket every time every time i mean both in thailand but hannah said she sold
10:47three holidays in coast me in the last fortnight what do you think of coast me yeah it's all right
10:52i'm going there next year defo love coast me i've just wanted me out though hannah can you order
10:59some more rainfall can you get a coconut scented candle can you go out and get me a coffee at
11:04almond milk not dairy i've actually got a question to ask you hannah what's your last bloody slave
11:07done uh i'm sorry i think i've forgotten something you what um can you just just tell hannah i won't
11:13i won't be a minute
11:34i didn't even warn me it's him isn't it yeah yeah it is
11:43it's him it's exactly what he did to me
11:48why am i finding out about it from a newspaper oh what the fuck what the fuck am i supposed
11:54to do
12:00frankie i'm just feeding the baby are you watching the news what just turn the news on now icv
12:05no one second
12:11typically he tells them that he has won some cash at the casino or on the lottery
12:15then he offers them a drink of champagne which he has drugged most of the women who have so far
12:22come forward have no memory of what happened in the period after drinking the champagne
12:28they uh said at the start of the report that he was a black cab driver
12:31mate that's exactly how you said it happened
12:34they wouldn't listen to me i thought i was going mad
12:38i know you've got to call him sarah
12:41no
12:43i can't go through that again
12:47please just think about it
12:50i haven't even told dad what happened
12:53i was told by a friend about the story in the sun newspaper today and when i read it i
12:59knew straight
12:59away that this man had done something similar to me
13:04yes it was in july of last year
13:07i was told when my case was going to be closed down that one of your officers
13:11didn't think a black cab driver would risk his license by assaulting a fair
13:14that that is what was said to me
13:17look what i want to know is if the man who was arrested today is the same man who attacked
13:23me last year
13:24can you at least tell me that please
13:26i don't need a name
13:33okay thank you very much
13:35i've got to go now
13:40it's the same man
13:44a long time ago
13:46five years ago before i met you
13:52i was raped
13:56but nobody believed me
13:59the police didn't believe me
14:02not even connor believed me
14:07the man who did it
14:07he's done it to other women too
14:09and he's just been arrested
14:15yeah
14:15i'm so sorry
14:16i don't need to cuddle
14:20they've put it behind me
14:22and that's where it's going to stay
14:24they've asked people to come forward
14:26but i've not gone to
14:30you have to go to the police
14:32sir
14:32it's enough
14:33that i know after all these years i was right
14:38that that man did drug me
14:41he did attack me
14:44beyond that
14:46i don't want to waste any more of my life
14:47i am
15:01okay
15:02let's start with the allegations
15:04of you touching female passengers
15:06in your cab
15:07in a sexual way
15:08how do you respond to this
15:10no comment
15:11mr warboys will not be answering any of your questions tonight
15:13as is his right
15:14but he has prepared a statement
15:16which he is prepared to read out to you now
15:19okay john
15:21let's see what you have to say
15:37i am innocent of all the allegations
15:39that have been put to me
15:42i have never made sexual contact with any passenger whilst in my cab
15:46and i have also never administered any form of drug to a passenger
15:50also whilst in my cab
15:56i am innocent of all of these allegations that have been put to me
15:59and offended
16:00that anyone would think that i
16:02as a respected black cab driver
16:04would be capable of behaving in this despicable manner
16:08thank you
16:12i'm completely innocent
16:15okay john
16:16you will be detained for further questioning
16:19and we're also going to need some swabs
16:21and a dna sample from you
16:38it's been white hot all day
16:40how many linked cases
16:4143
16:4343
16:44positively linked
16:46same description
16:47same murder's operandi
16:48and that number
16:49is only going to rise when the line's up and again tomorrow
16:5143
16:51yeah
16:52i mean 43
16:55what is happening here
16:57what is happening here
16:59what is happening here
17:01I don't know.
17:31I've got to get it all straight in my head before I call them.
17:34A cup of tea?
17:35Yeah, please. Thank you.
17:38Come here, you.
17:43I called him a lovely man.
17:48He gave me a cigarette and I said he was a lovely man.
17:55Can't be that I fucking said that to him.
17:59You're doing the right thing.
18:05Come on.
18:10Why did nobody tell me that you were going to arrest this man?
18:15Very sorry about that.
18:17Why did I have to find out about it through the newspapers and the TV?
18:20The answer is to do with the original team who investigated your complaint.
18:25It seems they only recorded it as a crime-related incident and not as a crime.
18:32So your details and the details of the complaint were never properly in the system.
18:37Right.
18:41Right.
18:44Because, you know, they...
18:46They didn't really believe anything that I said.
18:48I'm not going to sit here and try and defend the original investigation.
18:51Good.
18:51Because it appears that mistakes were clearly made.
18:56To be told effectively that I was lying was devastating.
19:03Do you understand that?
19:06Absolutely devastating.
19:10And I've had to live with that for the last five years.
19:15My parents were devastated when I left uni.
19:19But I've never told them, or my brothers, what happened to me.
19:25Because we're not that kind of family.
19:27So when the police, the only people that I thought would support me,
19:34turn their backs on me, that left me totally alone.
19:37Well, if the CPS had reviewed the evidence in your case, perhaps,
19:40there might have been a different outcome.
19:42But, unfortunately, that is...
19:43Wait, wait, sorry, you...
19:45Did you...
19:47Did you just say that the CPS did not review my case?
19:52No.
19:55I was told that the Crown Prosecution Service had looked at all the evidence
20:01and decided not to proceed,
20:02which is why they closed the investigation in the first place.
20:09No, I can tell you that the CPS did not review the evidence in your case.
20:14The decision to close your investigation was made by the senior officers overseeing it.
20:22They lied to me.
20:24I am sorry to say we haven't been able to locate your Achieving Best Evidence video
20:29or any of the items of clothing you told us about.
20:32What?
20:33None of the items you were wearing that night were where they should have been
20:35in the evidence store.
20:43I reckon they got rid of all my evidence when he was arrested
20:46because they knew it would make them look bad.
20:48I don't know if that's the case.
20:51I only hope that it isn't.
20:52Now, I'm guessing they were looking for the classic date rape drugs
20:56such as Rhypnol and didn't find any...
20:57No, no, no, but they told me that they found nothing.
20:59Like I was...
21:00Like I was lying?
21:01Like I was lying about being drugged.
21:03That's...
21:04The test showed diphenhydramine,
21:06which is the active ingredient in nitro,
21:08was found in your urine.
21:09Okay, so if they'd have just...
21:12asked me,
21:13I could have told them
21:14that I've never knowingly taken that drug in my life.
21:18There were drugs in my bloodstream.
21:19Yes, citalopram,
21:22codeine,
21:23and morphine.
21:23Hang on.
21:25I've never taken citaloprame,
21:26whatever it is,
21:27my bloody life.
21:29It's a prescription antidepressant.
21:31Never taken an antidepressant.
21:33Why didn't they tell me
21:35they found these things in my blood?
21:37Why didn't they tell me?
21:41To feel like you're not being believed.
21:44And then to find out
21:45they couldn't even be bothered
21:47to do their job properly and...
21:52I can't explain to you
21:56how angry
21:59and brutalised
22:02and bewildered I feel.
22:09I would say that, um,
22:11based on just this conversation today,
22:14you might have grounds
22:15for a formal complaint.
22:17And if you like,
22:18I could give you the...
22:19the details
22:20of who to take that to.
22:23And who would that be?
22:25It's a body called the IPCC.
22:28The Independent Police Complaints Commission.
22:32You have heard about them.
22:35I work for a firm of solicitors.
22:39The IPCC,
22:40it's made up of ex-police officers, isn't it?
22:42Yeah.
22:44So the police mark in their own homework.
22:47I can tell you now,
22:48they'll find that nobody did anything wrong.
22:55they're with the military side...
23:08They're right.
23:10they're out of here.
23:35Leila Mahmood
24:02Carrie Simons
24:05Sorry
24:23Sarah Adams
24:24Sarah Adams
24:43Oh God, yeah, that's me
25:00I was talking to Mrs. Purvis today at my art class.
25:04She said her daughter's decided she wants to study law.
25:08She said she warned her it's going to take many years of hard work, but the girl seems adamant.
25:16She doesn't even want to take a gap here.
25:19She's going to start in September.
25:22Admirable, don't you think?
25:30I'm going to go to the garden centre tomorrow if you want to come, Leila. Pick up a few pods
25:36for the garden. Fancy it?
25:39No, I can't. Sorry. To work on Saturdays.
25:47So how's things?
25:49Yeah, okay.
25:50Work?
25:51I may enjoy it rather than enjoy it.
25:53You still smoking?
25:55Uh, no, I've quit.
25:58I mean, very occasionally.
26:01I'm still trying to stop. Why?
26:03I'm just concerned about your health.
26:05Well, it's fine, isn't it?
26:06Yeah, well, that's good. That's good.
26:08But I just, I wanted to say I'm sorry.
26:10I mean, I saw the news.
26:15I know I've read the papers.
26:17I'm sorry for not believing you.
26:28Jack, go back into the kitchen and get yourself a Snickers out of the fridge.
26:31Just go into the kitchen, just take whatever you want, or just eat it in there.
26:35Go on, babe.
26:42Sarah, I'm sorry.
26:44I can't see you, son.
26:45I was in a room the other day.
26:49It was full of women waiting to do identity parades.
26:54It almost killed me.
26:58All these women who'd gone through what I went through,
27:01who would have been spared if...
27:05if they'd only believed me.
27:07You can't believe yourself.
27:10Can't I?
27:12Did I try hard enough?
27:13Yeah, you did. I know you did.
27:15Just...
27:16Sorry.
27:21You know, my life's okay.
27:24I'm happy enough.
27:26Gavin's a nice guy.
27:29I've got Lenny and I...
27:32I thank God every day for you.
27:38But I should have still been here, Connor.
27:41Living with you.
27:43Jack should have been living with his mum and dad.
27:48Should have been your life.
27:50A love to you.
27:59That's how much this has fucked up my life.
28:06But thank you for your watching.
28:09I accept it.
28:14Jack?
28:19Uh...
28:20What's that?
28:23Come on.
28:27See you on Monday, Phoebe.
28:30See you later, mate.
28:45One more way for me.
28:49We're going to proceed in court with charges relating to 14 of the women he attacked.
28:5714.
28:59But there are loads more than that.
29:02The CPS want to keep the case as simple as possible for the jury.
29:05They're worried it could get bogged down in too much detail.
29:08I'm not entirely sure I agree, but...
29:11Okay.
29:12We want you to be one of the 14.
29:14And give evidence in court against war boys.
29:17Me?
29:18But I'm still not sure what he did to me.
29:20Doesn't matter.
29:21You know, his offending had a pattern to it.
29:24And your experience exactly fits that pattern.
29:26And crucially, you had a really good recollection of most of your journey home with him.
29:34And the CPS also think that your mother's evidence about knowing that you weren't drunk,
29:40that she thought you'd been drunk,
29:42will also be helpful.
29:43So you want me to give evidence too?
30:04Ah shit.
30:06You want me to give evidence to this?
30:14Ah shit.
30:16OK, so we've heard from the CPS.
30:18The plan is that 14 of the women are going to speak in court.
30:24But they won't be asking you to testify.
30:29Why?
30:30Well, the thing is, you...
30:31You didn't pick him out in the ID parade.
30:36It's been a long time, and he looked really different with me that night.
30:40And because so much evidence from your case has been lost...
30:43Fucking destroyed, in my opinion!
30:47It's about not giving the defence an opening, Sarah.
30:54That's hard.
30:55Because I wanted to look the bastard in the eye
30:58and tell everybody what he did to me.
31:01I wanted to have my moment in court.
31:06I wanted to look him in the eye and say,
31:07yeah, I'm sending you to prison because I don't want to belong.
31:13I'm sorry, Sarah.
31:14Sometimes in these big cases, it's easy to overwhelm the jury.
31:20So the strategy is to stick to the offences
31:24where we've been able to collect the most comprehensive evidence.
31:28With 14, is that enough?
31:31Well, the CPS are confident
31:32that this will give the trial judge enough ammunition
31:35to put him away for a long, long time.
31:43Mr. Warboys freely admits a good deal of the circumstances surrounding these events.
31:49For instance, he has always actively sought to engage female passengers in conversation in his taxi cab.
31:57Banter, as he calls it.
32:00Banter, as he calls it.
32:00And he sometimes did this by telling them, falsely,
32:04that he had won money that night through gambling
32:07and by showing them a bag filled with cash.
32:10But he says this was simply a conversation starter
32:14and his objective was not sexual.
32:16It was simply female company.
32:18It was an icebreaker in that respect.
32:22He is adamant that any sexual contact between him and any woman in his taxi was consensual,
32:30that it was non-penetrative
32:32and that it was initiated by those women.
32:41No, I don't remember feeling scared that night.
32:43You didn't feel threatened by Mr. Warboys?
32:46No, I actually thought he came across as sort of pathetic.
32:50Not some sort of predatory monster,
32:52just a normal taxi driver engaging in some banter with you.
32:57I actually think that harmless demeanour is what makes him so dangerous.
33:02Precisely because he puts you off guard as he hands over his drinks from the front.
33:06He's like a professional conman.
33:09It's clear, would you agree, that your daughter had been drinking that night?
33:13A few drinks, correct.
33:16So I put it to you that it's reasonable to assume that she was intoxicated?
33:21I've never seen her intoxicated.
33:23She rarely drinks alcohol.
33:26She was in distress.
33:28She was insensible.
33:30She was like a rag doll.
33:32There was something else in her system.
33:34She was vomiting continuously.
33:37You don't get like she was that night,
33:39just from a few drinks.
33:50I swear by Allah that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth,
33:54the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
34:02Two large glasses of red wine.
34:06Yes.
34:07And you drank those,
34:09and then you go to the toilet,
34:11and you are sick.
34:13Yes.
34:14I sometimes get nauseous when I'm on my period.
34:18But that was not going to deter you from your plans for that evening,
34:21and you went back to your friends and carried on as normal.
34:24In your statement,
34:25you say you then had two vodkas and lemonade.
34:30Yes.
34:32Yes.
34:32And did your drinking stop there?
34:34Or did you have rather more to drink that night than you've told us about?
34:39Not that I remember.
34:40Shortly after you got into his taxi,
34:42Mr. Warboys handed you a glass of something bubbly.
34:47Maybe champagne, something like that.
34:50And you drank that, too?
34:53Yes.
34:55Why?
34:56Because he forced me to.
35:00He wouldn't take no for an answer.
35:02Oh, but he's driving.
35:03He's in the front of the cab.
35:04Yes, but he just...
35:05He kept persisting and persisting and persisting.
35:08But he can't actually force you to drink it, can he?
35:10Well, he forced me to take the pill.
35:12We'll come to that in a minute.
35:13My question to you is why you felt you had to drink that champagne
35:17when you were not obliged to.
35:23Because he wouldn't take no for an answer.
35:27Or is the reality that he was being a very chatty and personable taxi driver
35:32engaging in some banter with you,
35:34who'd offered you a drink,
35:36and which you had accepted and drank perfectly happily?
35:40No.
35:42You say you remember him getting into the back of the cab with pills in his hand
35:47and that he forced one into your mouth, right?
35:50Yes.
35:51And what are you doing to resist?
35:57Well, I'm...
35:59I'm trying to move him away from me.
36:03So you were perfectly able to struggle and resist.
36:06Yeah.
36:07But you don't mention struggling and resisting in your police statement.
36:14Well, if it's not there, it's not there.
36:17But I was...
36:18I was feeling quite drowsy after he made me drink the champagne.
36:22And after the pill went down,
36:23your mind is pretty much straight away a blank thereafter.
36:28Yes.
36:30So we really are in the realms of almost instant unconsciousness.
36:36Yes, that's right.
36:38Well, I suggest to you that you'd already consumed a large amount of alcohol
36:42before you got in Mr. Warboy's taxi.
36:44And that he did not give you a pill or force it down your throat.
36:47Do you disagree with me?
36:49Yes.
36:49And you can't make up your mind whether you could or couldn't fight him off
36:53or did or didn't have a lot to drink
36:55or pretty much anything else that night
36:56because you were so intoxicated.
37:12Leila.
37:13I just want to thank you for giving evidence.
37:15I don't think there's any doubt you'll be found guilty.
37:18I thought you held up really well in there.
37:21Did you?
37:22Yeah.
37:23Yeah, that was tough.
37:25Leila, can I get you anything, a cup of tea?
37:27No, thanks. I'd just like to go home.
37:30I'm Debbie from the police press office.
37:32I just wondered if you'd consider waiving your anonymity
37:34and providing us with some media interviews.
37:37What?
37:38We just thought if someone could stand up,
37:40someone articulate like yourself
37:42and talk about what had happened to you,
37:44this might encourage more women to come forward.
37:46No.
37:47No, I can't. I can't do that. I'm sorry.
37:50You've got the wrong person.
37:51I'm sorry.
38:07Hi. I'm sorry. I'm Sarah.
38:09Oh, I know you.
38:10I've been through exactly what you've been through.
38:13Have you got time for a coffee?
38:16I wanted to punch that fucking barrister in his stupid face.
38:22And why is it okay for him to make out I'm a liar?
38:26He was going through every tiny thing in your statement
38:28in minute detail,
38:29just trying to find some little thing to pick away at.
38:31Why is that still happening?
38:33I was raging too. Just watch it.
38:35What is the point of this farce?
38:36He's fucking guilty.
38:38You know, I've been looking into bringing a complaint
38:40against the police for the way they've treated us.
38:43And with me, there was so much stuff
38:44that they missed out in the first few weeks.
38:46It was just ridiculous.
38:48Yeah, but it's their own disciplinary people, isn't it?
38:51What's the point?
38:52I'm not talking about going through the IPCC.
38:55I want to make some proper noise.
38:57I'm looking into suing them.
38:59Suing?
39:00Yeah.
39:02There's a lawyer I've been put in touch with
39:04who might be prepared to take it on.
39:06She's called Harriet Wistrich.
39:08She's got a great reputation.
39:11But I can't do it by myself.
39:13I had a quick chat with her
39:14and she said it'd be a much stronger case
39:16if there was someone else
39:17who had been through the same thing.
39:19So you're asking,
39:21do I want to sue the police with you?
39:24Well, yeah.
39:27You don't have to make a decision.
39:29Yes.
39:30What?
39:31Yes.
39:32Let's sue the bastards.
39:33Oh, great.
39:36Yeah.
39:55You developed and perfected a web of deceit
39:59that was sufficient to ensnare young,
40:02intelligent and sensible women
40:04who had enjoyed a night out
40:06and whose only mistake, as it turned out,
40:09was to get into your cab late at night.
40:13There is no doubt that you continue to constitute
40:16a significant risk of serious harm
40:18through the commission of further offences.
40:21I therefore pass down on you
40:23an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment
40:26for public protection
40:28with a minimum custodial term
40:30of eight years.
40:46I wouldn't worry
40:47about the eight years.
40:49As I understand it,
40:50the judge had to give a number,
40:52but a parole board still has to decide
40:54if it's safe to release him
40:55when I can't see that happening.
40:57Eight years did spook me a bit.
40:59Yeah, he's not getting out.
41:02Anyway, Carrie,
41:03thanks for agreeing to do some interviews.
41:05I think if someone like yourself,
41:07someone so articulate, can stand up,
41:09then it will encourage more women to come forward.
41:11I'm nervous,
41:12but if it gives others a voice,
41:13it seems like the right thing to do.
41:15Thanks again.
41:16Yeah.
41:16I'll start to get some things set up, okay?
41:18Okay.
41:18Thanks, Carrie.
41:21What have you got to do?
41:22Well, just some interviews
41:23about what happened to me.
41:24They need someone to waive their anonymity
41:26and be a focal point.
41:27My goodness,
41:28do you think that's a good idea?
41:29You're so young.
41:30Do you want this hanging over you?
41:33What?
41:34They said it's important
41:35that more people come forward.
41:39I'm just sick of us
41:40all being on the back foot, Mum.
41:45Could he really get out that soon?
41:47Because the thought of him
41:48ever being released terrifies me.
41:50Me too.
41:51Well, theoretically, yes.
41:53After eight years,
41:54he could apply for parole,
41:55but in order to do that,
41:57he'd first have to admit
41:58to what he's done.
41:59And his position has consistently been
42:01that he is totally innocent.
42:04Right, so not just a psycho.
42:05A thick psycho.
42:06So his position is
42:07105 women have all
42:09just made it all up.
42:10It's up to 105 now.
42:12Well, I was told
42:13the actual number
42:14might be nearer 500.
42:16Is that correct?
42:17That's what Elise said.
42:19So what do you think, Harriet?
42:21There's potentially
42:22hundreds of women out there
42:23who have suffered needlessly
42:24because the police
42:25didn't do their job properly.
42:26They shouldn't be allowed
42:27to get away with
42:27what they've done.
42:29Well, neither of you
42:30qualifies for legal aid,
42:32so you're asking me
42:33to take this on
42:33on a no-win, no-fee basis?
42:35I'm afraid we are, yeah.
42:38OK.
42:40Firstly, the problem is
42:41you can't sue the police
42:42for negligence.
42:43Why not?
42:44The law states that
42:45if they could be sued,
42:46they wouldn't be able
42:46to do their jobs properly
42:47because they'd always be
42:48looking over the shoulder
42:49waiting for the next riot.
42:50It's just how the law is,
42:51I'm afraid.
42:54But my advice
42:55would be to pursue this
42:56under the Human Rights Act
42:58and argue that
42:58the police's actions...
42:59Or inactions.
43:00Or inactions.
43:03Infringed on your right
43:04to not be subjected
43:04to inhuman
43:05or degrading treatment.
43:07Well, that exactly
43:08describes what happened
43:09to us.
43:10Yes.
43:11The only problem is
43:13is that it's never
43:13been done before.
43:15And, um,
43:16in your case, Sarah,
43:17there is a statute
43:18of limitations issue.
43:19You must take an action
43:20within one year
43:21and it's been five years
43:22since the police
43:23investigated your case.
43:24And in your case,
43:25Leila,
43:25they could argue that
43:26however ineffective
43:27their initial investigation
43:28was,
43:29they did ultimately
43:30arrest the correct man.
43:32Should we close the door
43:33on our way out, then?
43:34But the first thing I would do
43:36is I would contact the police
43:38and declare our intentions.
43:40Now, they will jump up and down
43:41and tell us we don't have
43:42a legal leg to stand on
43:43and that we're out of time.
43:43But they will have
43:45to disclose to us
43:46statements
43:47and other evidence.
43:49And I'm betting
43:50that will throw up
43:51some pretty
43:53interesting stuff.
44:23And I'll see you next time.
44:25I'll see you next time.
44:26I'll see you next time.
44:27I'll see you next time.
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