John Worboys has appeared in court accused of drugging four women in an attempt to carry out sexual attacks.

The former black-cab driver is said to have told the alleged victims, whom he picked up in his taxi between 2000 and 2008 in London, that he had won money gambling.

Prosecutors said he offered them alcoholic drinks, such as champagne, which were laced with a sedative.

Worboys, 62, appeared at Westminster magistrates court by video link from Wakefield prison on Thursday.

He gave his name as John Derek Radford before confirming his date of birth, his nationality as British and saying he currently resides in HMP Wakefield.

He listened intently to proceedings and made notes as the prosecutor Jonathan Polnay outlined the charges against him.

Worboys faces two counts of administering a stupefying or overpowering drug with intent to commit rape or indecent assault under the Offences Against the Person Act, and two of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence under the Sexual Offences Act.

He did not indicate pleas to the charges, which relate to four women, none of whom can be identified for legal reasons, who made allegations to police in early 2018.

The judge, Michael Snow, sent the case to the Old Bailey, where Worboys is next expected to appear by video link on 20 June.

He told Worboys: “At that hearing, the judge will require you to enter your pleas of guilty or not guilty to those charges.”