The jury trying a black cab driver accused of drugging and sexually assaulting 14 women has begun considering its verdict.

John Worboys of Rotherhithe, southeast London is said to have used spike champagne to drug his victims - including women from Putney, Balham, Fulham, East Sheen and Twickenham - between October 2006 and February last year.

Croydon Crown Court heard the retired male stripper, who used to call himself Terry the Minder, told female passengers he had won money on the lottery or in a casino to entice them into having a celebratory drink with him.

It is alleged he then offered them champagne spiked with over-the-counter pills before climbing into the back of the cab to sexually assault them.

During the trial, the jury heard Worboys was an “oddball” who craved female attention after the death of his mother when he was 13.

The 51-year-old claims he found it hard to pick up women so started offering drinks in his cab to engage them in conversation.

He admitted carrying alcoholic drinks, large sums of money, cigarettes, drugs and condoms in his cab, but told the jury he was looking for company and not sex from his customers.

Worboys denies 23 charges including administering a substance with intent, rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault.