John Radford, formerly known as John Worboys, has been charged with four sexual offences allegedly committed between 2000 and 2008 in London, Scotland Yard has said.

He will appear before Westminster magistrates court on 23 May.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: “In September 2018, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from the Metropolitan police relating to allegations of non-recent sexual assault and of administering drugs to cause unconsciousness.

“Following a review of the evidence, the CPS has today charged John Radford, formerly known as John Worboys, with four offences. The charges are two offences of administering a stupefying or overpowering drug with intent to commit rape or indecent assault contrary to section 22 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and a further two offences of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence contrary to section 61 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.”

The spokesman added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Radford are now active and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”