New victim powers after ‘black cab rapist’ row
VICTIMS of crime are to get new rights to prevent a repeat of the scandal that saw ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys granted early release from prison.
The ‘landmark reform’ means they will be able to challenge controversial Parole Board decisions without being forced into costly legal action.
The move is a direct response to the row over the move 12 months ago to release serial rapist Worboys after he had served only ten years in jail.
That decision was eventually overturned, but only after his victims went to the High Court.
Justice Secretary David Gauke today announced that victims would now be able to make a direct challenge to a Parole Board ruling. The Ministry of Justice would then direct a judge to reconsider the decision.
Mr Gauke hailed the move as a ‘landmark reform’ that would‘ for the first time empower victims to hold the Parole Board to account for its decision and restore public confidence in the important work that it does’.
The outcry over the decision to release Worboys almost cost Mr Gauke his job after he indicated he would mount a legal challenge against it – only to back out later.
His U-turn effectively forced two of Worboys’ victims to launch their own action, with Mr Gauke fac- ing calls to resign from some Tory MPs even though he said that his decision not to intervene was based on legal advice.
Worboys, 61, who now calls himself John Radford, was jailed in 2009 for assaulting 12 women, with jurors told the black cab driver picked up his victims in London’s West End.
He was convicted of 19 sample offences including one rape and five sexual assaults, though police believe he may have carried out more than 100 rapes and sexual assaults between 2002 and 2008.
Even though he was given an indeterminate sentence – meaning he could be kept behind bars for as long as he was deemed a danger to the public – in January 2018 the Parole Board controversially ruled he could be freed.
A public outcry led to the resignation of Board chairman Professor Nick Hardwick and a sweeping review of the parole system. Under the new reforms, victims can apply directly to the Justice Secretary within 21 days of a Parole Board decision.
The new rules will apply to prisoners serving indeterminate sentences or extended determinate sentences. The move is part of wholesale changes to the Parole Board process due t o be published this week.