Parole Board chief quits after court overturns decision to free Worboys

The head of the body that ordered the release of black cab rapist John Worboys has resigned after the High Court quashed the decision.

Parole Board chairman Professor Nick Hardwick announced he was standing down after being told by Justice Secretary David Gauke that his position was “untenable”.

The dramatic development came as three senior judges in London ruled that the board must make a “fresh determination”.

It means Worboys, 60, will remain in jail at least until the 0 John Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 case has been re-assessed. The process is expected to take several months.

Outrage erupted earlier this year after it emerged that a three-person panel had decided that Worboys was safe to be freed after around a decade behind bars.

The serial sex attacker was jailedindefinitelyin2009with a minimum prison term of eight years after being found guilty of 19 offences, including rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims.

Worboys became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

Police believe he committed crimes against 105 women between 2002 and 2008, when he was caught.

The Parole Board was ordered to revisit the case after two victims mounted a legal challenge in the High Court.