John Worboys, known as the Black Cab Rapist, is set to participate in his upcoming parole hearing in public, despite objections from three of his victims. The notorious sex offender is scheduled to have his case reviewed over a two-day period in June as he fights for his release.
The decision to hold the hearing in public was approved by His Honour Peter Rook KC, representing the Parole Board Chair. While acknowledging the concerns of the victims who strongly oppose a public hearing due to potential re-traumatization, it was determined that the exceptional circumstances of this case warrant a public hearing.
This move comes after a previous decision to release Worboys in 2018 was overturned following public backlash, leading to reforms in the parole system, including the introduction of public hearings in 2022. Worboys, now 68 and serving additional life sentences for further assaults, targeted women in London’s West End by offering them champagne laced with sedatives.
The application for a public hearing was made by Stephen Shute, a Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Sussex. He argued that it would be inconsistent not to utilize the new power introduced in 2022, especially in the case that prompted its implementation.
A High Court judge found Worboys guilty of over 105 rapes and sexual assaults in a civil case brought by some victims. The Parole Board proceedings will likely delve into allegations of unconvicted serious sexual offenses committed by Worboys.
In 2009, Worboys was sentenced to an indefinite jail term with a minimum of eight years for multiple sex attacks. Despite being cleared for release by the Parole Board after a decade, the decision was later overturned due to oversight of his extensive criminal history.
Justice McGowan, sentencing Worboys in 2019, labeled him as currently dangerous, with concerns about the risk he poses. Worboys’ potential release remains a contentious issue, with some victims expressing fear over the possibility of further harm if he is freed.
