Carrie Johnson recounts terrifying spiked drink ordeal with serial rapist taxi driver during late night cab ride in London

Nearly two decades after a shocking series of attacks carried out by the man dubbed the “Black Cab Rapist,” a new television drama is set to bring the story back into the spotlight.

The upcoming ITV series Believe Me will recount the experiences of women who were targeted by serial offender John Worboys—including the harrowing ordeal faced by Carrie Johnson when she was just 19 years old.

The drama arrives at a time when conversations around victim support, policing, and justice systems remain central to public debate.

By revisiting the case, producers hope to remind viewers of the courage shown by the women who came forward to speak out.

Carrie Johnson’s Ordeal as a Teenager

Before becoming the wife of former British prime minister Boris Johnson, Carrie Johnson was a university student whose life was dramatically shaken by a terrifying encounter in 2007.

At the time, she had just begun her studies at the University of Warwick.

After a night out with friends in west London, she accepted a ride from a man driving a black taxi who offered to take her home cheaply.

The driver—later identified as John Worboys—appeared friendly and even claimed he had just won money at a casino.

During the journey, he offered her champagne to celebrate his supposed winnings.

Sensing something was wrong, Johnson secretly poured the drink away.

However, she later accepted a small amount of vodka he offered—unaware that it had allegedly been spiked.

The next thing she remembers was making it home and collapsing in front of her mother, describing the moment as falling “like a rag doll.”

A Crime That Took Years to Fully Uncover

For months after the incident, Johnson had no clear understanding of what had happened.

It was only half a year later, when news broke that a taxi driver had been arrested for drugging and assaulting female passengers, that the horrifying reality began to sink in.

Investigations later revealed that Worboys had been targeting women across London for years.

His method often involved offering drinks laced with drugs while driving passengers home.

Nearly 100 women eventually contacted police with similar accounts.

Fourteen were selected to testify in court during the original trial.

The Convictions of John Worboys

In 2009, Worboys was found guilty of attacks on 12 women.

Over time, additional cases came to light, and in 2019 he was convicted again for further offences involving four more victims.

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Following his convictions, he changed his name to John Radford.

The case remains one of Britain’s most notorious serial sexual assault investigations.

Campaigners and victims have repeatedly criticized the early police response, arguing that warnings from victims were not taken seriously quickly enough.

Bringing the Story to Screen

The ITV drama Believe Me aims to center the voices of the victims rather than the perpetrator.

Actor Daniel Mays will portray Worboys, while Miriam Petche—known for appearing in the series Industry—will play Carrie Johnson.

Another character in the show, portrayed by Aimee-Ffion Edwards of Slow Horses, represents a victim whose name has been changed to protect her identity.

The series was written by acclaimed screenwriter Jeff Pope, who has previously worked on several high-profile British true crime productions.

Carrie Johnson’s Message to Authorities

Speaking ahead of the drama’s release, Johnson expressed hope that revisiting the case could push authorities to improve how victims are treated.

She has criticized how institutions—including the police, prosecutors, and parole system—handled aspects of the investigation.

According to her, victims often face disbelief or indifference when reporting serious crimes.

Her message is simple but powerful: women who come forward must know their voices will be taken seriously and that justice will follow.

Impact and Consequences

The Worboys case triggered widespread debate in the UK about how police handle sexual assault complaints.

Victims later pursued legal action against the Metropolitan Police Service, arguing that failures in the investigation allowed further crimes to occur.

The case also sparked major conversations about victim advocacy, evidence gathering, and the responsibility of institutions to respond quickly when multiple similar reports emerge.

For many survivors, the story became a symbol of how persistence and solidarity can eventually expose systemic problems.

What’s Next?

The release of Believe Me is expected to renew public interest in the case and the broader issue of violence against women.

Advocates hope it will encourage more victims to report crimes and push authorities to continue reforming how such cases are investigated.

Discussions around police accountability, victim protection, and parole decisions are also likely to resurface once the series airs.

For survivors involved in the case, the drama is less about entertainment and more about ensuring their experiences are not forgotten.

Summary

A new ITV drama is set to revisit the disturbing crimes of serial offender John Worboys, highlighting the bravery of the women who helped bring him to justice.

Among them was Carrie Johnson, who experienced a frightening encounter with the taxi driver as a young university student.

By retelling the story through the voices of victims, the series aims to remind audiences of the importance of believing survivors and holding institutions accountable when they fail to act.

Bulleted Takeaways

• A new ITV drama, Believe Me, will tell the story of victims targeted by serial offender John Worboys.

• Carrie Johnson, wife of former UK prime minister Boris Johnson, is among those portrayed in the series.

• The attack on Johnson occurred in 2007 when she was a 19-year-old student at the University of Warwick.

• Nearly 100 women eventually reported similar experiences involving the taxi driver.

• Worboys was convicted in 2009 and again in 2019 for multiple attacks on women.

• The case sparked criticism of police handling and broader debate about how institutions respond to sexual assault reports.

• The new drama hopes to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of supporting victims who come forward.