Worboys parole decision ‘ignored’ wider allegations over his victims
THE Parole Board failed to take into account the “wider allegations” against John Worboys, the serial black cab rapist, before approving his prison release, a lawyer for two of his victims has told the High Court.
Philippa Kauffman QC accused the Parole Board of failing to take into account “critical evidence – evidence that wasn’t in its discretion to ignore” when deciding to release him from prison.
Worboys, who appeared via video link, looking grey and haggard, is known to have assaulted at least 105 women, though he was only jailed for offences against 12 in 2009.
Worboys, 60, was granted release with “stringent” licence conditions in January, but the decision was widely criticised. Two victims and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, were given permission last month to mount a challenge over the lawfulness of the decision to free the serial sex attacker.
Ms Kauffman said psychologists advising the Parole Board had been misled into believing Worboys had taken “full responsibility” for his offences, that he possessed an “insight” into the triggers which led him to offend, and that he now had an “openness and honesty” about him.
Worboys told psychologists assessing him that his offending was restricted to an 18-month period between 2006 and 2008, and denies committing any offences other than those he was convicted of, the hearing was told.
Ms Kaufmann said the police believe his first offence against a passenger was as early as 2002 and that he went on to assault at least 105 women.
“This throws into question the entire account he gave of his offending behaviour,” Ms Kaufmann said.
“Hence the finding that he had insight into his offending is simply blown out of the water. It also blows out of the water the Parole Board’s finding that he is open and honest.”
She said evidence of wider offending “completely undermined” the Parole Board’s decision.
A victim of Worboys who was raped in the back of his taxi in 2003, said she “couldn’t believe it” when she saw evidence of the Parole Board’s decision.
“They seem to have taken his word on everything and not checked their facts,” she said. “He’s totally pulled the wool over their eyes. He’s told them what he thinks they want to hear.”
Ms Kaufmann pointed out that Worboys had made a statement in which he denied committing offences other than those he was convicted of.
The QC said that even putting aside the “failure” to take into account the wider allegations, the decision was “irrational”. She told the court there was “no unfairness” in taking into consideration criminal allegations for which he was not convicted, as it would not have been necessary for the board to make any findings as to whether he committed the offences.
A temporary bar on Worboys’s release is continuing pending the outcome of the proceedings. The hearing continues.