BLACK cab rapist John Worboys used taxpayer cash to force a victim to give evidence in court to try to avoid a life term.
The 63-year-old was jailed in 2009 for 19 sex attacks on 12 women.
The Parole Board decided he could be released in 2018 but the decision was quashed after a legal challenge by two victims.
The outcry also sparked a fresh Met Police probe and Worboys was last year charged with further crimes.
But despite admitting four more attacks, the fiend claimed he did not begin assaulting women until three years after one of his victims said she had been targeted.
It meant the woman, who said she was attacked in 2000 or 2001, had to give evidence in court.
Her bravery led to Worboys’ account being rejected and a judge handing him a life term.
Documents reveal how Worboys’ solicitors and barristers for the new case cost taxpayers more than £16,000.
Another £5,366 of taxpayers’ money was used on Worboys for a “prison law” case which concluded last year.
The bills come on top of £166,554 legal aid for the original case against him.
The Ministry of Justice said: “Worboys’ crimes were hideous and he did not receive a penny of legal aid — it went to his lawyers to ensure a fair trial so justice could be delivered.”
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