The notorious black cab rapist John Worboys could have his wish for a confidential parole hearing granted, despite vehement protests from his victims. A public hearing had been scheduled for June to determine whether the serial sex attacker should be released from prison, but it has reportedly been switched to a closed-doors session.
Victims Express Deep Disappointment
Instead of facing his victims directly, the abuser will have his fate decided in a 'papers review' meeting after he personally requested the change. This means that details of his evidence will not be publicly reported and will only be summarised after a final decision is made. One of Worboys' victims told The Sun she was 'deeply disappointed this has been allowed,' adding that 'it feels like yet another attempt to manipulate the system.'
Background of the Case
The 68-year-old serial sex attacker was set to face a public hearing in June after seeing a previous challenge to the format dismissed in January. Worboys had previously argued that being scrutinised in public would prevent him from giving proper evidence. He was jailed 17 years ago for 19 sexual offences involving 12 victims attacked in London between October 2006 and February 2008.
Worboys, from Enfield, North London, had previously worked as a male stripper and became known as the 'black cab rapist' after attacking victims in his hackney carriage. In several of the incidents, he pretended to be celebrating a horse racing win or a lottery prize as a pretext to giving his victims alcohol which he had laced with drugs.
Parole Board Controversy
The Parole Board had controversially decided to release Worboys in December 2017, but the decision was overturned after two of his victims fought the call. His case prompted sweeping changes to the parole system, allowing some hearings to be held in public and increasing scrutiny of how release decisions are made.
During his original sentencing at the Old Bailey, the court heard he had admitted to a psychologist that he plied dozens of women with alcohol and drugged around a quarter of them after being inspired by pornography. Worboys told psychiatrists he had been 'fantasising' about his crimes since 1986, and was motivated by 'hostility towards women.'
Police Blunders Revealed
The decision on the attacker's parole hearing came as ITV prepared to air Believe Me, a programme following years of police blunders around the case. A string of survivors reported Worboys between 2002 and 2008 but were ignored by officers, the show claims.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman told The Sun: 'John Worboys' crimes were horrific and our thoughts remain with the victims. Decisions on public parole hearings are made by the independent Parole Board.'
