The lawyer for a black cabbie accused of drugging and sexually assaulting his female passengers has described him as an "oddball".

The damaging admission from the man supposedly defending the 51-year-old cab driver and came as both sides made their closing arguments.

John Worboys is said to have picked up 14 women in the West End in the early hours claiming he won thousands on the lottery and invited his passengers to join him in toasting his success with tainted champagne.

The former male stripper from Rotherhithe, is charged with 23 offences against 14 women between October 2006 and February 2008. Charges he denies.

Victims

Croydon Crown Court has heard evidence from several victims, including a new mother who was enjoying her first night out when she was allegedly attacked.

Traces of Temazepam were found in the body of one of his accusers after she woke up dazed and confused in her bathroom.

The court was told how cops found "Terry the Minder's" address book which contained the woman's details and those of several other alleged victims. 

"Oddball" - "weird customer"

Defence barrister Jeremy Gold QC described Worboys as an "oddball", a "weird customer" and a "socially inadequate individual", but added that did not mean Worboys was guilty.

Mr Gold told the jury:

"What have the prosecution got? They have got a lot of young women who had a very strange experience in the back of a taxi.

"It is not normal to be offered a drink by a taxi driver. The temptation for the jury is to say he is weird, he must have done it. Don’t fall into that trap."

Admissions

Mr Worboys has 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.

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