Security measures have been heightened around vile black cab rapist John Worboys over concerns he could become a target for fellow prisoners following the broadcast of a TV drama depicting his horrific offences.
The predator is reportedly living in fear inside his cell after the launch of Believe Me on ITV. Worboys, 68, is currently detained at the same prison where Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was murdered and now worries that attention surrounding the new programme will provoke fury amongst fellow inmates.
Convicts are understood to despise seeing other criminals thrust into the limelight and prison staff are now conducting additional welfare checks on Worboys.
View 3 ImagesThe black cab of London cabbie rapist John Worboys (Image: PA)
He is also being accompanied by three or four warders whenever he ventures out of his cell at HMP Wakefield, West Yorks, reports the Daily Star.
The opening two episodes of Believe Me – showcasing actor Daniel Mays’ disturbing depiction of sinister Worboys – have aired on ITV, with the remaining two episodes scheduled for broadcast this Sunday and Monday. It has also emerged that most prisoners have access to watch the 9pm primetime programme through their Freeview television packages.
A source revealed: “The programme is the talk of the jail and has therefore made Worboys a massive target. He is terrified and cowering in his cell. And when he does leave the cell, it is usually under a very heavy escort which means three or four officers. Most inmates at the jail can watch the programme as it’s on ITV and they can watch their TVs until 10pm or later.
“Cons can also order newspapers from the canteen, so they all know about it. Recent attacks show that the most high-profile prisoners can be got to, and Worboys is very aware of that.
“And prisoners just don’t like it when another inmate gets the limelight, whether they’ve looked for it or not. So the fact that this programme has been made about Worboys puts him in danger. Plus, Worboys is seen as a danger to himself so is being checked on really regularly with notes kept about how he is.”
View 3 ImagesDaniel Mays as John Worboys on the ITV show(Image: ALISTAIR_HEAP)
The television drama – also featuring Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Aasiya Smith as victims – depicts how taxi driver Worboys lured victims into drinking spiked champagne by claiming he’d won the lottery before assaulting them.
He was imprisoned in 2009 for one rape, numerous sexual assaults and counts of drugging against 12 women between 2006 and 2008. He was initially due for release in 2018 following a controversial Parole Board ruling, which was contested by victims before being reversed.
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Worboys – who has since adopted the name John Radford – was subsequently handed two life sentences in 2019 for attacks on four further women. Police suspect Worboys may have over 100 victims. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “John Worboys’ crimes were horrific and our thoughts remain with the victims.”