Black cab serial rapist John Worboys claims he can be ‘intimidated’ if parole listening to is heard in public
Black cab serial rapist John Worboys has launched a legal bid to prevent being forced to face his victims and their families at a parole hearing.
Notorious Worboys – who is believed to have attacked over 100 women – claims that he would be intimidated and unable to give ‘full’ evidence if a bid to make him appear in public at the hearing via video link succeeds.
Worboys, 68, reacted with fury to the news that he might be forced to give evidence watched by victims, friends, and the media, The Daily Mail understands – and instructed lawyers to stop it.
His legal move comes after an application to have the parole hearing – expected in the coming weeks – heard in public is being considered by the Parole Board, which will make a decision shortly.
It is not known who made the application, but it is thought they are likely to be one of Worboys’ many victims or someone associated with them who has followed his case closely.
A source said: ‘Worboys is fighting the application for his hearing to be heard in public on the basis he would be intimidated.
‘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.’
Black cab serial rapist John Worboys has launched a legal bid to prevent being forced to face his victims and their families at a parole hearing
Worboys, from Enfield, North London, who had previously worked as a male stripper, became known as the ‘black cab rapist’ after attacking victims in his hackney carriage
If the application is successful, this will mean the perverted cabbie would be cross-examined live on a video link.
A selected audience – including victims of the serial rapist – would watch from a secret location,
The source added: ‘In Worboys’ case, there is a major argument for transparency.
‘There was a huge uproar when the Parole Board cleared him for release a few years back.
‘It is essential that the public can see and understand what goes on this time.’
Worboys has been referred to the Parole Board and is expected to be listed in the next few weeks.
The rapist was due to be freed in 2018 after just nine years of an indeterminate sentence.
Police say Worboys abused at least 105 women.
But he was only charged and convicted with 12 assaults to not ‘overload the indictment’. He denies the remaining attacks.
Worboys was convicted of 19 offences, including a rape, another of assault by penetration, and a further 17 assault counts.
The decision to recommend he be released in 2018 was partly prompted by his finally admitting he drugged and sexually abused the 12 women passengers.
The decision caused outrage and was reversed.
Worboys, from Enfield, North London, who had previously worked as a male stripper, 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 win on the horses, or the lottery, as a pretext to give his victims alcohol – which he had laced with drugs.
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’.
If Worboys wins his fight to have the appeal heard in private, details of his evidence will not be reported and will only be summarised after a decision is made.
Worboys has been referred to the Parole Board and is expected to be listed in the next few weeks
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that an application for a public hearing has been received in the case of John Worboys. A copy of the decision will be available on the Parole Board website once it has been issued.
‘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.
‘A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and the impact the crime has had on the victims.
‘It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing, which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’
A decision is expected in the next few weeks.
