Black cab rapist faces new sex assault claim
Probe could delay Worboys’ release as he’s secretly moved to fresh jail
BLACK cab rapist John Worboys faces a new sex attack claim that could scupper his imminent release from jail.
Scotland Yard last night said it is investigating allegations a woman was sexually assaulted in London in 1997.
News that detectives have reopened the probe into Britain’s most notorious sex offender came hours after it emerged that he has been secretly moved to topsecurity Belmarsh Prison in southeast London.
Victims reacted with fury, saying it was a ‘disgrace’ they had not been warned that Worboys was back in the area of the capital where he committed many of his sickening crimes.
It was claimed that the move from HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire to a Category A London jail was prompted by Scotland Yard’s fresh investigation.
The development has raised hopes that the rapist’s imminent release from prison will be indefinitely delayed as he could be locked up again if charged. No arrests have been made, but it is thought he will remain in custody while the claim is fully investigated.
Victims’ rights campaigner Harry Fletcher said yesterday: ‘ The move to Belmarsh is a clear signal he is not going to be released next week or any time imminently.
‘He will not go from the most serious category A prison into the community in a week.
‘Being in Belmarsh gives ample opportunity for police officers to investigate new allegations and interview him there rather than traipsing up to Wakefield.’
Worboys was given an indefinite jail term in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting 12 female passengers. Earlier this month the Parole Board decided the 60-year- old no longer posed a threat, despite police fears he could have attacked more than 500 women over the years he spent as a licensed taxi driver.
Yesterday one previous victim said: ‘I’m not surprised that another person has come forward. I’m sure Worboys has many, many more victims. I hope now the Met will treat this extremely seriously and that more people might yet come forward.’
Lawyers for other victims said it was an ‘insult’ that they had learnt about every twist in the case only through the media.
Richard Scorer, of solicitors Slater and Gordon, said: ‘This is extremely distressing for our clients as yet again they have not been informed about developments in the Worboys case. It is crucial they are kept updated.’
Detectives are said to have launched the new investigation after a woman came forward for the first time.
Pressure has been mounting on Met Commissioner Cressida Dick to reopen the case as many of those who originally made allegations against Worboys were told their cases were not being prosecuted because he was unlikely to ever be released. An internal memo has been sent to Met officers asking them to report any new leads.
In the Commons yesterday, Justice Secretary David Gauke faced criticism for failing to inform victims of Worboys’ move to HMP Belmarsh.
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith said: ‘ The proposed release of John Worboys has absolutely horrified and terrified his many, many victims.
‘Like me, they are appalled to learn that he has been moved to London’s category A Belmarsh Prison.’ He urged the minister to ‘do absolutely everything in his power to ensure that Worboys is released with strict licensing conditions’. Mr Gauke vowed to implement the ‘most stringent’ conditions.
Even if the new investigation does not lead to charges, ministers are understood to be reluctant for the rapist to be released while a possible judicial review of the Parole Board decision is ongoing. This could delay his release – which was expected to take place in the next week – by a matter of weeks or even months if a High Court judge agrees to a full hearing.
By yesterday campaigners had raised more than half of the £100,000 needed to pay for the judicial review.
One woman who donated said: ‘I hope with all my heart your efforts are successful. I encountered this scumbag and was so lucky to escape unscathed. He is a danger to women everywhere and will attack again.’
‘Danger to women everywhere’