Putney woman was one of the scores of victims of the black cab rapist

Justice Secretary David Gauke said today (19th January) "it would not be appropriate" to seek a judicial review the Parole Board's ruling to release. However he added that his decision shoudl not stop others from making a challenge.

60 year old John Warboys was found guilty of rape and 18 other charges. Following publicity surrounding the case many more women came forward to say they had been attacked by Worboys. In all it is estimated that he carried out over 100 rapes and sexual assault between 2002 and 2008.

One of his victims was a woman from Putney whom he picked up outside a club on Tottenham Court Road on 21 December 2007. He raped her after driving her home with DNA evidence being used to convict him.

John Worboys

When he was sentenced, Justice Penry-Davey said that Worboys would not be released until a parole board decides he is no longer a threat to women.

The decision to consider Worboys for release without informing all of his victims has been questioned by the chairman of the Parole Board Nick Hardwick who said he was very concerned about the way the case had been handled and apologised unreservedly to the women affected.

David Gauke tried to reassure ministers: "Let me be absolutely clear, Worboys will not be released until his victims' representations have been properly considered and his licence conditions are in place."

January 19, 2018