Harrowing

ITV has shared images from its upcoming true crime series about convicted sex offender John Worboys

Broadcaster ITV has released a first look at its new true crime drama Believe Me.

Filmed in Cardiff, the four-part series tells the story of John Worboys – who was dubbed the ‘black cab rapist’ after preying on women under the cover of being a licensed taxi-cab driver.

He was convicted in 2009 for crimes including sexual assault and drugging with intent against 12 women.

His modus operandi was to claim that he’d had a win at a casino or on the lottery, then offer women he’d picked up in his cab after a night out a glass of champagne, which he’d laced with drugs, and which rendered his victims unconscious.

ITV said the drama “tells the story of how the victims of one of the most prolific sex attackers in British history were failed by the system”.

The series focuses on the ordeal of Sarah (played by Peaky Blinders‘ Aimée-Ffion Edwards) and Laila (played by Raised By Wolves’ Aasiya Shah), who reported sexual assaults by Worboys (Daniel Mays), and how their allegations were not thoroughly investigated.

Sarah and Laila – both pseudonyms – joined forces with solicitor Harriet Wistrich, played by Philippa Dunne and barrister Phillippa Kaufmann QC, played by Rachael Stirling, to sue the Metropolitan Police under the Human Rights Act for their failure to properly conduct investigations into their allegations of sexual assault, leading to their being subjected to degrading treatment and contributing to their distress.

They won, and when the Met appealed that judgment to the Supreme Court, they won again.

As these women fought to have their cases heard, looming in the background was Worboys’ first parole hearing. Eight years after he was convicted for his crimes, his victims had to fight again to keep him behind bars.

Sarah, Laila, Harriet and Phillippa were joined by Carrie Symonds (played by Industry’s Miriam Petche), a senior figure in the Conservative Party press team. She put her career on the line to spearhead a huge media and political campaign pushing for an unprecedented judicial review of the Parole Board’s decision. The campaign, with Sarah, Laila and Carrie at the forefront, was successful, and Worboys’ parole was quashed.

Sarah, whose identity has been protected, said: “Believe Me is about the courage of every woman who came forward to help put John Worboys behind bars.

“What happened to me changed my life, but in many ways the hardest part was not being believed for so many years. Without the people who stood by me, Worboys would have been freed and continued to pose a huge risk to women. Seeking justice shouldn’t mean more trauma. We shouldn’t have to fight to be believed or feel like we’re the ones on trial. The shame never belongs to the survivor.”

Believe Me will air on ITV

If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, http://www.victimsupport.org.uk.

Chasing a Killer: Gary Allen is set to premier on Prime Video this weekend.

A killer’s harrowing admission is set to be heard in a brand new true crime documentary premiering this weekend.

Chasing a Killer: Gary Allen will be released on Prime Video in a matter of days, on Sunday, February 22 spanning across two episodes, each 45 minutes long.

Plunging viewers into the chilling investigation into the suspect who was “known for decades as the man who got away with murder”, fans will see how the investigation unfolded.

The series follows the long pursuit of murderer Gary Allen by detectives determined not to let the case go cold, featuring firsthand accounts from investigators, journalists, and survivors.

Prime Video teases: “In February 2000, Gary Allen walks free from Sheffield Crown Court, acquitted of murdering 29-year-old Samantha Class. But detectives are convinced it’s only a matter of time before he strikes again.

“What follows is a two-decade pursuit by detectives who refuse to let the case go cold. A change in UK law, a covert operation, and the tragic murder of another woman lead detectives to hope they will finally bring Allen to justice – ‘You can’t get away with murder twice, surely?’ journalist Lisa Welton asks.”

Following another murder investigation in 2018, the streaming platform adds: “Featuring firsthand accounts from detectives, journalists, and survivors, this two-part documentary highlights the tireless efforts of South Yorkshire and Humberside Police to bring down Gary Allen, a man who believed he was above the law.

“Known for decades as the man who got away with murder, will he finally be brought to justice?”

In an exclusive first look ahead of the Prime Video release, a chilling confession can be heard.

The short clip hears from Chris Calvert who reads out part of a probation report revealing some of Allen’s troubling behaviour and disturbing thoughts, with Chris later branding him as a “psychopath”.

She says: “The extract I’m about to read is from the report that I found in one of the boxes from the probation officers who interviewed Gary Allen in 2003.”

Reading from the report, Chris added: “In the report they write he spoke openly about his strong dislike of prostitutes.

“Gary admitted to me that he planned and subsequently committed the attacks on the prostitutes in Plymouth he stated that the pleasure of hurting builds from the planning stage.

“Prostitutes are easy targets, I just want to hurt people, I enjoy thinking about it, I get pleasure from thinking. I just really enjoy different types of violence.”

After reading the extract, Chris continued: “It’s the words of a psychopath isn’t it.”

Chasing a Killer: Gary Allen is available to stream on Prime Video from February 22.

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