John Worboys: Government told to 'ensure women are safe' after release of black cab rapist

Victims call for cases that were not prosecuted to be reopened amid outcry over decision

John Worboys was found guilty in 2009 of raping 12 women – but police say he could have attacked at least 100 (PA)

The Government has been told to ensure "women are safe" after the upcoming release of John Worboys amid outcry over the failure to prosecute dozens of alleged attacks.

The “black cab rapist” served just eight years in jail after being sentenced to an indefinite term for public protection after he was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 victims and raping one woman.

Police believe the real number of victims was over 100 but 19 allegations that emerged following Worboys’ conviction in 2009 were not prosecuted.

Victims are calling for the cases to be reopened, while demanding to know why the Parole Board deemed the serial attacker eligible for release – a decision only taken when inmates are no longer considered a risk to the public.

Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the Home Affairs Committee, asked the Home Secretary whether she had asked police to move the 19 cases forward “to see whether justice can be done and women kept safe”.

Amber Rudd replied: “I do share her views on this matter and I am sure she will have seen the Justice Minister's comments today about making sure that there is more transparency in the Parole Board.

"I am aware of certain victims who are talking about possible judicial reviews and talking to the police.

“I don't think I can say at this point any more than that because it will be, it is, subject to potential legal proceedings.”

The former Justice Secretary, David Lidington, announced a review of what the Parole Board discloses about its decisions alongside the Victim’s Commissioner.


 Professor Nick Hardwick, chair of the Parole Board, has been ordered to carry out a review 
 (PA)

He called for changes to “help victims of crime and provide greater transparency about the Board’s work” amid outrage over Worboys’ imminent release.

Anna Soubry, a former Conservative minister, called for assurances that women will be safe.

“In 2009 John Worboys was found to be a dangerous, predatory sex offender and rightly so,” she told the House of Commons.

"What assurances can the Home Secretary give us that upon his release, if he has to be released I may say, women will be safe?"

Ms Rudd responded: "Making women safe and ensuring that we have the legislation in place for that is a priority for me and for this Government overall.”

Worboys, a former stripper and amateur adult film star, would ply female passengers with spiked champagne, which he persuaded them to drink by pretending he was celebrating a lottery or gambling win.

Police linked him with 83 crimes committed between 2006 and 2008 but more women came forward in light of the court case, bringing the potential total of victims to 102.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said 14 complainants were involved in the trial and the remaining cases “did not pass the evidential test” needed for a realistic prospect of conviction.

Three more allegations emerged before the case reached court but it was decided that there “were sufficient counts on the indictment to enable the judge to impose an appropriate sentence” in the event of conviction.

The CPS later advised the Metropolitan Police that it could only proceed with the 19 new allegations if they involved rape allegations because it “would be unlikely that it would be in the public interest to prosecute Worboys in relation to allegations of sexual assault or administering a substance with intent, because of the maximum sentence available to the court”.

Scotland Yard said there were currently no live cases relating to Worboys but vowed to fully investigate any further information that emerges.

The Ministry of Justice apologised for failing to immediately inform all of his victim’s over his release, claiming that some had chosen not to receive updates, or that letters had been sent but not yet arrived.

One of Worboys’ victims said she “never thought he would see the light of day after the terrible offences he committed”.

“I honestly thought he would never be allowed out of prison. So I was shocked, shaken and tearful when a friend sent me an email with a link to the story of his imminent release,” she added, saying the news had “reopened old scars”.

“I am really concerned that he could offend again. How can he carry out so many horrific crimes and then suddenly be okay?”

The woman called on the Parole Board to outline the evidence that led to their decision and confirm whether Worboys has admitted to any of the offences he was not convicted of.

Richard Scorer, a specialist abuse lawyer from Slater and Gordon, is planning to make representations to police and the CPS on behalf of 11 victims.

“It seems inexplicable that Worboys is safe to be released when he was protesting his innocence from a jail cell just five years ago,” he added. “Are his many victims seriously expected to believe that he has become a changed character? It is crucial that we are told the reasons why he has been allowed out.”