TAXI RAPIST STAYS JAILED
Worboys loses freedom bid
VICTIMS of black cab rapist John Worboys wept with relief last night after winning their legal battle to keep him banged up.
Three High Court judges tore up a Parole Board ruling that the monster – feared to have attacked 105 women – was safe to be let back on the streets.
Worboys, 60, will now languish in jail until a new panel meets to hear his case.
They could decide he is so dangerous he should never be freed.
Yesterday’s decision prompted the resignation of Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick who apologised for mistakes made in the case.
He said he admired the “courage and tenacity” of the victims who had challenged the Parole Board’s decision.
Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the High Court judgement while Justice Secretary David Gauke said “sorry” in the Commons for failing to investigate the case more deeply.
One of two Worboys victims who brought the case – known as NBV for legal reasons – said: “I can get on with my life again without looking over my shoulder.
“The constant reminders in the news have been distressing and made me want to hide.
“News that we have won this case finally brought huge relief.”
She hugged her co-claimant – known as DSD – who broke down, saying: “The decision has given me and many other women a little peace of mind.
“I am confident now that the errors and omissions at the last parole hearing won’t be repeated again in this particular case and they will bear in mind his wider offending.” Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for 19 offences of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 women one of whom he raped.
The ex-stripper attacked cab customers in London after offering them spiked champagne claiming he was toasting a lottery win.
Secret
Police suspected he had committed many more crimes but prosecutors chose to pursue only a limited number in court.
DSD, whose case was not part of the original prosecution, said she still could not understand why, adding: “I feel like I’ve been let down at every step.”
She urged any other victims to come forward. In January a threeman SINISTER: John Worboys’ sex attack ‘kit’. Left, Parole Board resigned boss Nick Hardwick parole panel agreed to let Worboys out because he had admitted attacking 25 women and was therefore “open and honest”.
Phillippa Kaufmann QC, said police had identified 105 women he had attacked which “blows out of the water the Parole Board’s finding that he is open and honest”.
The judges ruled that Parole Broad deliberations, which have previously remained secret, should be made public. Mr Gauke will be forced to draw up new guidelines.
But Mr Hardwick said the ruling raised questions about how the board’s independence can be safeguarded.
Last night Mr Gauke admitted Worboys could challenge the judgment blocking his release. The Star Says: Page 6