Review of parole hearings ordered
SEX attacker John Worboys claims “God has forgiven him” after he converted to Christianity behind bars.
The rapist, who is believed to have preyed on 200 women from his black cab, reads the Bible every day after claiming he has “found God”.
This week, it emerged Worboys will be freed from prison after serving just eight years and eight months – eight weeks for each of his alleged victims.
A three-person Parole Board panel granted his release after deciding he no longer posed a threat to the public.
He will walk free in weeks. But a prison source told this newspaper: “Worboys is seriously misguided and I believe is potentially still a danger to women.
“He thinks he is born again since embracing religion and that he has been forgiven.
“He says he is a changed man – but how can this be proved?”
Worboys, 60, ‘found religion’ attending Church of England services at maximum security Wakefield jail, West Yorks.
The ex-stripper and amateur porn star also read the Bible in his cell on C wing at the jail, dubbed Monster Mansions.
The source said: “A cynical person might think he’s done this as the best way of getting parole.
“He then shows remorse, admits his guilt and fulfils the requirements of the Parole Board.”
Under Parole Board rules, prisoners can only be freed early if they admit their guilt. Inside Wakefield, Worboys was friends with serial killer Levi Bellfield, who murdered Milly Dowler.
The Daily Star Sunday can also reveal the cabbie has been on an extreme fitness regime to get a “porn star body”.
Worboys regularly ran 50 laps of the prison football field, and works out every day. The source said: “He exercises daily in the gym to get himself ready for release. He says he wants a ‘porn star’ body to be ready for the ladies.”
They added: “Given his delusions, I would have to say he must still be considered a danger to all women.” He has been moved to a lower risk Category C jail, where he has kept up his strict exercise plan.
Worboys was convicted in 2009 of 19 offences including rape, and ordered to serve at least eight years in prison.
He drugged and carried out sex attacks on women he picked up in his taxi after nights out in London.
After Worboys was charged, 75 new victims told police he had attacked them, while 40 more came forward with new allegations during his trial.
Worboys has shown little remorse for his attacks and has lost two appeals against his conviction.
In 2010, three Court of Appeal judges branded him a chancer who wasted court time.
Worboys wanted his appeal delayed for 10 weeks for new scientific tests after sacking his legal team.
But Lord Justice Moses ruled that any
delay would hurt the 12 victims whose cases went to court.
In 2013, Worboys also asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to look at his case.
It has the power to order it to be sent back to the Court of Appeal.
But in May 2015, he withdrew the application with no explanation.
The Parole Board’s decision to free him is final, leaving Justice Secretary David Lidington with no powers to stop Worboys leaving jail.
Disgusted MPs are battling to find out why the board ruled to release him.
Its chairman, Professor Nick Hardwick, will go before Parliament’s Justice Committee to explain how the decision was reached.
Yesterday, it was revealed many of Worboys’ victims want police to reopen the investigation into other attacks to put him back behind bars.
“I honestly thought that he would never be allowed out of prison.
“So I was shocked, shaken and tearful when a friend sent me an email with a link to the story of his imminent release.
“I hadn’t been told by the Parole Board and had to find out by looking at a news website, which is completely
out of order. I felt cheated and betrayed. They could have at least sent me a letter.”
The victim added she feared Worboys could still be dangerous.
She said: “How can he carry out so many horrific crimes and then suddenly be okay?
“I feel like we need to know the reasons why the Parole Board think he is safe enough to release.” THE Government is to launch a review into parole hearings following the outcry over John Worboys’ release.
Justice Secretary David Lidington has called for more transparency after the cabbie was cleared to walk the streets freely without all of his victims being informed.
It comes amid calls for the risk assessment into the rapist’s release to be made public. Mr Lidington said: “John Worboys was convicted of horrific crimes. My thoughts and unreserved sympathy are with his victims for whom news of the Parole Board’s decision to order Worboys’ release must have reawakened the most appalling memories.
“It is a priority for this government that victims of rape and sexual assault have full confidence in the criminal justice system.
“While sentence lengths for these horrific crimes have increased by over 30% since 2010 and more victims are coming forward, there is still more to do. “While it is right that the Parole Board should remain an independent body, I believe there is a strong case to review how to allow greater openness about the decision-making process.”
Mr Lidington said he had discussed the case with the chair of the Parole Board Nick Hardwick and Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove about what changes could be made before Easter.
A No 10 source said Theresa May fully backed the move, having taken personal interest in the furore over Worboys’ release.
Our source said: “The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with the victims of Worboys’ horrendous crimes. She welcomes the fact that the whole process is going to be reviewed so we can improve the system for the future.”