Belfast Telegraph

Black cab rapist transferre­d back to Yorkshire prison

- BY STAFF REPORTER

BLACK cab rapist John Worboys has been transferre­d back to HMP Wakefield from HMP Belmarsh following uproar at his move to the London jail.

The Prison Service faced a backlash last month after the serial sex offender was moved to the city where he committed his crimes.

It is understood he has been moved back to the category A prison in West Yorkshire while legal proceeding­s take place over his release on parole.

Worboys’ return to HMP Wakefield emerged as a lawyer said she had passed details of fresh allegation­s made by five women to police.

Harriet Wistrich told the Sunday Mirror that two further women, whose cases were reported to police but not prosecuted as part of his trial, have asked for their allegation­s to be reconsider­ed.

She said: “Two others reported to police at the time but their cases weren’t prosecuted. They are now asking for reconsider­ation. It’s incredibly brave of them.”

She said some recognised Worboys from his photograph.

Worboys was jailed indefinite­ly in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers. He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

The predator was convicted of 19 offences against 12 victims, but has been linked to more than 100 complaints in total.

A Parole Board decision that he should be released on licence after spending less than a decade behind bars sparked outrage when it emerged in January.

A High Court judge later ordered a temporary bar on Worboys’ release after considerin­g an urgent applicatio­n by two of his victims.

The women, supported by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, applied for a “stay” on his release “pending determinat­ion of the claim for judicial review or further order”.

A hearing at the High Court in London is now expected between February 6 and 8, but a date has yet to be confirmed.

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