The Parole Board has ruled that serial sex attacker John Worboys must face a public hearing as it considers his potential release, rejecting his attempt to keep the proceedings behind closed doors.
Hearing Set for June After Transparency Bid Succeeds
The 68-year-old, known as the 'black cab rapist', will be considered for release by a Parole Board panel on June 9 and 10. The decision for a public hearing follows a successful application, despite Worboys' own opposition and that of some of his victims. Panel chairman Peter Rook KC stated he had 'deep sympathy' for the women who fear being retraumatised but concluded it was firmly in the public interest for the hearing to be open.
A Notorious Case That Shook the System
Worboys was first jailed in 2009 for 19 sexual offences against 12 women in London between 2006 and 2008. He received an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of eight years. His notoriety stems from his method of attacking women he picked up in his taxi, drugging them after pretending to celebrate a lottery or betting win.
The case provoked national outrage in December 2017 when a Parole Board panel initially ruled he was safe to release. That decision was successfully challenged in the High Court by two of his victims. The scandal prompted major reforms to the parole system, including the provision for some hearings to be held publicly.
Following the publicity of that initial release decision, more victims came forward. In 2019, Worboys admitted further offences and was handed two life sentences with a new minimum term of six years. Police believe he attacked at least 105 women, though he was only ever charged with a fraction of those assaults.
Victims' Fears and the Argument for Openness
Ahead of the June hearing, Worboys argued that appearing via video link before an audience including victims and journalists would leave him feeling intimidated and unable to give 'full' evidence. According to sources, he reacted with fury to the prospect and instructed lawyers to try to block the public application.
Three of the seven victims consulted by the Parole Board opposed the move for a public hearing. The application for transparency was made by Professor Stephen Shute, a criminal law expert at the University of Sussex. If the hearing proceeds as planned, Worboys will be cross-examined live via video link, with a selected audience watching from a secret location.
A source close to the case told the Daily Mail: '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.'
The source added that given the huge public uproar over his near-release in 2017, transparency in this case is essential so the public can see and understand the decision-making process this time around.
