Worboys release delayed after victims bring legal challenge

‘Black cab rapist’ John Worboys’ release from prison has been temporarily halted following a legal challenge by two of his victims. Lawyers were granted a stay of release last week after the Parole Board sparked outrage by announcing the 60-year-old serial sex offender was to be freed less than nine years into an indefinite sentence. Worboys’ victims are hoping to secure a full judicial review of the Parole Board’s decision and for the 360-page dossier that informed it to be made public. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also lodged an application for a judicial review, describing the Parole Board’s actions as “deeply concerning”. The release has now been put on hold until an oral permissions hearing is held at the High Court in London between February 6 and 8. Justice Secretary David Gauke supported the stay of release after previously stating the Government would do all it could to prevent Worboys being freed. However, the MoJ said it has no intention of challenging the Parole Board’s verdict after taking legal advice. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “It is right that victims can be reassured that Worboys will not be released until the court has had a chance to consider their views.” Worboys was handed an indefinite sentence with an eight-year minimum in jail in 2009 after being convicted of 19 offences relating to 12 women. However, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) later acknowledged that he may have assaulted more than 100 people while working as a taxi driver in London. The force is currently investigating a fresh allegation against Worboys that, if proven, could keep him behind bars. Announcing his review application, Mr Khan said: “I will always put the safety of Londoners, and the needs of victims, first – which is why I instructed the leading Counsel to begin this process last week. “Londoners need to know that those in authority are doing everything they can to keep them safe, and that means keeping dangerous individuals off our streets.”