John Worboys appeal - as it happened: High Court reverses decision to release 'black cab rapist'

Victory has 'brought huge relief', victim says

Government abandons plan to challenge release of 'Black Cab' rapist John Worboys

Victims of black cab rapist John Worboys have won their legal challenge against a decision to release him from prison.

A ruling in the landmark case was given by three judges at the High Court in London, who heard evidence over two days earlier this month.

Lawyers for two of Worboys’ victims had argued that the Parole Board’s decision to release the 60-year-old serial sex attacker was “irrational”, and should be overturned.

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The Parole Board must reconsider, judges ruled on Tuesday morning – just minutes after the body’s chairman resigned.

Officials should have held further inquiry into Worboys’ offending and his “overall credibility and reliability”, Sir Brian Leveson said.

He also said the board’s Rule 25, which currently bars disclosure of information about its decisions, was incompatible with the principle of open justice.

Worboys, who now goes by the name Radford, was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after being found guilty of 19 offences, including rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims.

He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

Police believe he committed crimes against 105 women between 2002 and 2008, when he was caught.

The two victims who brought the case believe something went “badly wrong” with the Parole Board’s decision to free him.

They said the Parole Board should have taken into account “critical evidence” of the “wider allegations” against Worboys.

The judges heard that Worboys, who has served 10 years behind bars, including remand time, has denied committing any offences other than those for which he was convicted.

The Parole Board argued that its decision was “lawful and and rational” and was based on appropriate evidence.

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and The Sun newspaper also took part in the legal action.

Key Points

• High Court judges say Parole Board must look again at decision
• Parole Board overlooked 'critical evidence', victims claim
• Worboys' representative had urged judges not to 'take his freedom away'
• Officials ought to have considered rapist's 'overall credibility'

[28 March 2018 09:47 · Lizzie Dearden]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the result of a legal challenge aiming to prevent the release of John Worboys, the 'black cab rapist'.

A ruling in the landmark case will be given by three judges at the High Court in London, who heard evidence over two days earlier this month.

Lawyers for two of his victims argued that the Parole Board's decision to release the 60-year-old serial sex attacker was “irrational”, and should be overturned.

[28 March 2018 10:29 · Lizzie Dearden]

The head of the Parole Board is believed to have resigned this morning - a move that could hail a ruling against the body.

[28 March 2018 10:30 · Lizzie Dearden]

The judges have now arrived and are giving their ruling.

[28 March 2018 10:30 · Lizzie Dearden]

Sir Brian Leveson, President of the Queen's Bench Division, is going over the facts of the case.

[28 March 2018 10:34 · Lizzie Dearden]

Sir Brian says the challenge from victims is being upheld, and that the Parole Board should have held further inquiry into his offences and his "overall credibility and reliability"

"In the light of our decision, the release decision will be quashed."

[28 March 2018 10:35 · Lizzie Dearden]

The judge says that the Parole Board's Rule 25, which currently bans the disclosure of information on its decision, violates the principle of open justice.

[28 March 2018 10:36 · Lizzie Dearden]

"We declare that Rule 25 is ultra vires "beyond the powers" of the Parole Board". Worboys' case will go to the Parole Board again to be reconsidered.

[28 March 2018 10:37 · Lizzie Dearden]

The short hearing has now ended and the judges have retired, we will be able to access their full ruling shortly.

The victims who brought the challenge are to give a statement outside court shortly.

[28 March 2018 10:58 · Lizzie Dearden]

The two victims who brought the legal challenge have spoken of their relief.

A woman who can be named only as DSD said:

"I am so relieved that we have won. The decision has given me and many other women a little peace of mind. I am confident now that the errors and omissions at the last parole hearing won't be repeated again in this particular case and they will bear in mind his wider offending."

[28 March 2018 11:01 · Lizzie Dearden]

Her co-claimant, NBV, said that since learning of the Parole Board's decision in January she had felt "frozen in shock, disgusted and traumatised by the thought that Worboys could be on the streets again so soon".

She said they wanted to hold authorities to account.

"But the constant reminders in the news have been distressing and made me want to hide. News that we have won this case finally brought huge relief. I can get on with my life again without looking over my shoulder."