Rapist freed by warped justice
THE Justice Secretary stood up in Parliament yesterday to discuss the imminent release of black cab rapist John Worboys.
“Let me reassure,” David Gauke blathered... “I have written to the relevant authorities stressing the need to ensure that the concerns of victims are put at the heart of this process.”
What a load of absolute horse dung.
Firstly, no one is reassured. No woman in London – where Worboys will soon walk free – can be reassured as one of the country’s most prolific sex offenders takes his liberty. And certainly none of his 100 (at least) victims will be reassured knowing they could walk into him on any corner.
Secondly, the idea that victims might be at the heart of this process is plain nonsense. If Worboys’ victims were at the heart of any process then they wouldn’t have gone unbelieved the first time he was arrested then let go by cops back in 2007.
Or 83 of the victims – who made complaints against Worboys but were not pursued by the CPS – would have had their day in court.
Or all his victims would have seen this animal get a proper meaningful sentence.
And the Parole Board would at least have done them the courtesy of explaining why they believe it’s safe to let Worboys walk free again.
It is the most basic tenet of our system that justice must be seen to be done. And yet the Parole Board which decrees when and why criminals should be released is allowed to operate beneath a shroud of secrecy.
Yes, I believe in redemption as a general principle. And I believe most people should be given a second chance. But I also believe that a man who’s had more than 100 allegations of sexual assault made against him (and appears to show little remorse for his actions – unless that’s been kept secret too) remains a danger to us all.
He has no right to walk free.
The news yesterday that the Met Police are investigating a new complaint which is related to Worboys means there may be some hope he isn’t free for long.
But it also means the 100 incidents we know about could be just the tip of a terrifying iceberg.
And let’s not forget – despite often repeated stories about men being falsely accused of rape – the chances of getting a sex assault conviction in this country remains as rare as hen’s teeth. Too many women have already been let down in this dreadful case. There is little reason to imagine any new victim who comes forward will have a better experience at the hands of our perverted justice system.