John Worboys, 50, of Sovereign Crescent, Rotherhithe, south-east London, is accused of one charge of rape, four sexual assaults and six charges of administering a substance with a view to stupefy.

He appeared at Sutton Magistrates' Court and spoke briefly to confirm his details during the five-minute hearing.

Speaking outside the court, Worboys' lawyer, Marc Burman, said his client intended to plead not guilty.

Worboys was arrested after a number of women told police they had been entrapped by a London taxi driver who pretended to have won money before plying them with drugs, champagne or wine.

The allegations against Worboys, a licensed black cab driver, range between July last year and February 15.

The case was adjourned for a preliminary hearing at Kingston Crown Court on April 15.

Worboys was remanded into custody.