John Worboys, the convicted black cab serial rapist, has initiated a legal challenge to stop a parole hearing from being held in public, which would force him to face his victims and their families.
Legal Bid to Block Transparency
Worboys, 68, is reportedly furious at the prospect of giving evidence via video link while being watched by survivors, their supporters, and the media. His legal team is now attempting to halt the application for a public hearing, which is currently under consideration by the Parole Board. A decision is expected shortly.
The application for transparency is believed to have been made by one of Worboys' many victims or a close associate. A source close to the case told The Daily Mail that Worboys is opposing the move on the grounds that he would feel 'intimidated' and unable to give 'full' evidence.
'It defies belief that this man - a convicted rapist of the worst order - would be cowed by facing his victims and families,' the source said. 'He is a coward who should be forced to face up to the consequences of his vile attacks.'
A Notorious History of Attacks
Worboys, from Enfield, North London, was convicted in 2009 of 19 offences against 12 women, including one rape and multiple sexual assaults. Police believe he may have attacked over 105 women, though he was only prosecuted for a sample of cases to avoid 'overloading the indictment'. He denies the remaining allegations.
Known as the 'black cab rapist', he used his hackney carriage to prey on passengers, often plying them with alcohol laced with drugs after pretending to celebrate a lottery or betting win. He later admitted to psychiatrists that he had been fantasising about such crimes since 1986 and was motivated by 'hostility towards women'.
Previous Parole Controversy and Current Process
This is not the first time Worboys' parole has sparked public outrage. In 2018, a decision to recommend his release after just nine years of an indeterminate sentence was met with fierce opposition and was subsequently reversed. That controversy has fuelled the current push for a public hearing.
If the application succeeds, Worboys would be cross-examined live on a video link before a selected audience, including victims, watching from a secret location. Should he win his bid for a private hearing, the details of his evidence will remain confidential and only a summary will be released after the decision.
A Parole Board spokesperson confirmed the application had been received, stating: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.' The panel will examine a wide range of evidence, including the impact on victims.
Worboys has been referred to the Parole Board and is expected to be listed for a hearing in the coming weeks.
