John Worboys prison release: Lawyer for alleged victims calls for fresh prosecutions against black cab rapist
'If he still denies his crimes, then he clearly poses a continuing risk to women'
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John Worboys, the London black cab driver linked to dozens of rapes and sexual assaults, should face fresh prosecutions for drugging and sexually assaulting passengers, according to a lawyer who represents some of his alleged victims.
Richard Scorer made the claim as Scotland Yard confirmed that 19 further allegations against the sex attacker were dropped on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
One complaint was dropped because it “did not pass the evidential test”, London’s Metropolitan Police said.
Victims’ groups and charities have condemned the decision to free the 60-year-old, who in 2009 was found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 female passengers, and the rape of one woman, at Croydon Crown Court.
Police said the following year that they believed he attacked 102 women between 2002 and 2008.
The Parole Board’s chairman, Professor Nick Hardwick, is to be summoned before MPs to explain how the decision to free him was reached.
It follows criticism from charities and support groups who described the time Worboys served as “woefully short”.
Professor Hardwick will also face questions from the House of Commons Justice Committee about why some of the rapist’s victims were not informed of his imminent release.
Mr Scorer, a specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon who represents some of his victims, said the Parole Board “must now reveal publicly whether Worboys has finally admitted his crimes and shown any remorse whatsoever”.
He said: “If he still denies his crimes, then he clearly poses a continuing risk to women.
“If he now admits that he deliberately and systematically drugged and raped women, then the police need to look at whether there are any crimes that he was not convicted of and seek justice for those victims.”
Mr Scorer brought successful civil claims on behalf of 11 of Worboys’ alleged victims, including eight who were not included on the indictment at his criminal trial despite giving statements to police.
He said: “Our clients have been left devastated by the shocking news that a man who mercilessly raped scores of women, denied his heinous crimes and then forced them to endure the torment of a criminal trial is to be released.
“For victims not be told that he is to be freed by the Parole Board adds insult to injury.
He added: “When we visited Worboys in jail he was clearly a very manipulative and dangerous individual. We are concerned he may have fooled the board into believing he is no longer a threat. For many years after he was convicted he continued to deny even the offences for which he was found guilty.”
The allegations were investigated but no further action was taken on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), police said.
The CPS said it had charged Worboys with offences “where it was deemed there was a realistic prospect of conviction”. It said 83 women had reported allegations up to the point of conviction and a further 19 afterwards, and the body had advised officers to refer any allegations of rape.
One file was submitted in relation to an allegation of sexual assault but it “did not pass the evidential test”, the CPS statement added.
It said: “It would be unlikely that it would be in the public interest to prosecute Worboys in relation to allegations of sexual assault or administering a substance with intent, because of the maximum sentence available to the court.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed there is currently no live investigation into Worboys. Sir Keir Starmer, who was director of public prosecutions at the time of the trial, did not have "any involvement in the decision making" the CPS said. He has reiterated a call to anyone with concerns about allegations against Worboys that they believe may not have been looked into to contact police.
Fourteen complainants formed part of the trails and the rest did not pass the evidential test, the CPS added.
Two of Worboys‘ victims are still awaiting a Supreme Court ruling relating to police human rights breaches during the investigation.
Scotland Yard launched an appeal against a High Court ruling which led to two women, who were both seriously sexually assaulted, winning compensation.
In 2013 the High Court found London’s Metropolitan Police was liable for failures in its investigation, and in 2014 ruled that compensation totalling £41,250 should be awarded to the women.
Lawyer Harriet Wistrich, who acted for the two women, said neither were informed about Worboys‘ Parole Board hearing or the decision to release him, adding they were ”shocked and horrified” by the news.
Professor Hardwick has “unreservedly” apologised for the failure to inform all of Worboys’ victims. He also admitted there was a “lack of transparency” in the parole system’s decision-making processes, and said he will be launching a public consultation.
Bob Neill, House of Commons Justice Committee, said: “What has happened here is very disturbing. It is vital that the public has confidence in Parole Board decisions.
“In my view, it is ridiculous that the current rules prevent the board making public the reasons for their decisions.”