John Worboys, the serial rapist who preyed on women in his London black cab, has launched a legal challenge to stop his victims and their families from watching his upcoming parole hearing. The 68-year-old, believed to have assaulted more than 100 women, argues that being observed would intimidate him and prevent him from giving 'full' evidence.
Legal Battle Over Transparency
Worboys reacted with fury upon learning that an application had been made for his parole hearing to be held in public, a move that could force him to give evidence via video link in front of victims, their supporters, and the media. He has instructed his lawyers to fight the application. The Parole Board is currently considering the request and is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.
The application is thought to have been made by one of Worboys' many victims or a close associate. If successful, the hearing would see the convicted rapist cross-examined live on a video feed, with a selected audience, including survivors, watching from a secret location.
A History of Outrage and Denial
This legal manoeuvre comes against a backdrop of public outrage over Worboys' case. In 2018, an initial decision by the Parole Board to recommend his release after just nine years of an indeterminate sentence was met with fierce opposition and was subsequently reversed. Worboys was only convicted of 19 offences relating to 12 women, including one rape, but police believe he abused at least 105 victims.
During his original trial at the Old Bailey, it emerged that Worboys, from Enfield, North London, had admitted to psychologists that he was motivated by 'hostility towards women' and had fantasised about his crimes since 1986. His modus operandi involved pretending to celebrate a lottery or betting win to lure passengers into drinking champagne he had laced with drugs.
The Stakes for the Parole Board
A source close to the case expressed disbelief at Worboys' claim of intimidation: 'It defies belief that this man - a convicted rapist of the worst order - would be cowed by facing his victims and families. He is a coward who should be forced to face up to the consequences of his vile attacks.' They emphasised the argument for transparency, noting the previous public uproar.
A Parole Board spokesperson confirmed the application for a public hearing had been received. '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,' they stated, adding that a panel would examine a huge range of evidence. Protecting the public remains their top priority.
If Worboys succeeds in keeping the hearing private, the details of his evidence will not be reported and will only be summarised after a final decision on his potential release is made. The outcome of his legal challenge is awaited in the next few weeks.
