Fresh sex claims could halt rapist Worboys’ release
Scotland Yard 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 after it emerged that he has been secretly moved to top security Belmarsh Prison in London.
Victims said it was a ‘disgrace’ they had not been warned that Worboys was back in the south-east of the city where he committed many sickening crimes.
It was claimed that the move from HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire to a
‘More people might come forward’
Category A London jail was prompted by Scotland Yard’s fresh investigation, which is said to have begun after a woman came forward for the first time.
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: ‘The move to Belmarsh is a signal he is not going to be released any time imminently.
‘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 jailed in 2009 for a minimum of eight years for 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 500 women over the years he spent as a taxi driver. Yesterday one previous victim said: ‘I’m sure Worboys has many, many more victims. I hope the Met will treat this extremely seriously and that more people might yet come forward.’
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.’