‘A lot of women will be sleeping much, much easier tonight’
that we can go to bed tonight with the knowledge that he’s not going to be out on the streets any time soon.
“While I’m thrilled with the decision, I’m also angry that I have had to go through this ordeal to achieve justice. It’s wrong that we were put into this situation. It is the whole system that has failed. I feel like I have been let down at every step.”
Worboys, who has changed his name to John Radford, was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after being convicted of 19 offences against 12 women. He was not in court for yesterday’s hearing.
The former stripper and porn actor plied victims with champagne spiked with powerful sedatives after telling them he was celebrating lottery or casino wins, then attacked them in the back of his cab.
Speaking of her torment at coming face-to-face with Worboys at an earlier hearing, DSD said: “First of all I was scared to face him but I wanted to do everything I could to ensure he remained behind bars.
“It was a shame he was not in court today because I would have liked to have seen his reaction. We would have been able to say, ‘We won. You’re staying behind bars’.”
The Parole Board approved Worboys’ release in November, arguing its decision was based on appropriate evidence.
But the High Court ruled it was “irrational” and noted the board failed to take into account dozens of alleged offences for which Worboys was not prosecuted.
Worboys’ case will now be referred back to the Parole Board and considered by a new panel.
In January, Scotland Yard launched a fresh investigation after new victims came forward.
Yesterday, lawyers acting for the women who brought the action said “in excess of 10 women” who claim they were assaulted by Worboys had contacted them since the start of the High Court proceedings. Details have been handed to police.
DSD said: “Hopefully Mr Worboys, or whatever he goes by now, will be behind bars for a very, very long time.” The second woman, known as NBV, said she had felt “frozen in shock, disgusted and traumatised by the thought Worboys could be on the streets so soon”.
She said: “News we have won this case finally brought huge relief. I can get on with my life again without looking over my shoulder.”
Prime Minister Theresa May said yesterday the ruling raised “serious concerns” and agreed the “brave” victims should never have had to face their attacker in court during the proceedings.
Mr Gauke congratulated the women on the “unprecedented legal action” before announcing plans to make the Parole Board more transparent, telling MPs that he wanted to “reiterate my heartfelt sympathy for all victims who have suffered as a result of Worboys’ hideous crimes”.
Police and prosecutors have faced fierce criticism over the case.
At the time of Worboys’ conviction, 83 women had registered complaints and another 19 then came forward.
But the Crown Prosecution Service refused to press more charges.
Rachel Krys, co-ordinator of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: “Victims have fought this case with no support from the system for 15 years.”