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Worboys review: What we have learned Worboys review: What we have learned
(10 days later)
Until the two-day judicial review hearing, very little was known about John Worboys' 10 years' in custody - and the reasons why the Parole Board granted his release.Until the two-day judicial review hearing, very little was known about John Worboys' 10 years' in custody - and the reasons why the Parole Board granted his release.
From legal submissions at the High Court hearing, and documents presented to the court, a picture has built up of a man who was in denial about his offending for most of his sentence.From legal submissions at the High Court hearing, and documents presented to the court, a picture has built up of a man who was in denial about his offending for most of his sentence.
How did he react in prison?How did he react in prison?
Worboys pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2009, brought a legal challenge against his convictions a year later, and, after being refused permission to bring the appeal, applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to consider his case.Worboys pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2009, brought a legal challenge against his convictions a year later, and, after being refused permission to bring the appeal, applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to consider his case.
Even four years later when he settled civil claims brought by 11 of his victims, paying £241,000 compensation, he did not accept liability.Even four years later when he settled civil claims brought by 11 of his victims, paying £241,000 compensation, he did not accept liability.
According to legal papers from the Mayor of London, a forensic psychologist reported in June 2013 that Worboys had not engaged in any programmes focused on his offending.According to legal papers from the Mayor of London, a forensic psychologist reported in June 2013 that Worboys had not engaged in any programmes focused on his offending.
A separate psychologist, in January 2015, wrote that Worboys maintained that sexual contact with the 12 victims in the cases he was convicted of was consensual.A separate psychologist, in January 2015, wrote that Worboys maintained that sexual contact with the 12 victims in the cases he was convicted of was consensual.
But just four months later there was a dramatic change: Worboys admitted the offences.But just four months later there was a dramatic change: Worboys admitted the offences.
Why did he change his mind about his crimes?Why did he change his mind about his crimes?
Worboys' offender supervisor, a member of prison staff, wrote that the former black cab driver had said he felt "ashamed" of his behaviour after reflecting on media coverage about Jimmy Savile, and "needed to show victim empathy".Worboys' offender supervisor, a member of prison staff, wrote that the former black cab driver had said he felt "ashamed" of his behaviour after reflecting on media coverage about Jimmy Savile, and "needed to show victim empathy".
A forensic psychologist who interviewed him in June 2015 said he was "nervous" and "tearful" and wanted to give victims "their due" and "say thank you" by taking responsibility.A forensic psychologist who interviewed him in June 2015 said he was "nervous" and "tearful" and wanted to give victims "their due" and "say thank you" by taking responsibility.
"He also said he had maintained hope that his convictions would be overturned, and that this expectation now felt unrealistic, which was a further motivation to take responsibility for his sexual offending," the psychologist wrote."He also said he had maintained hope that his convictions would be overturned, and that this expectation now felt unrealistic, which was a further motivation to take responsibility for his sexual offending," the psychologist wrote.
Indeed, Worboys had withdrawn his CCRC application in May that year, at the same time as his admission of responsibility.Indeed, Worboys had withdrawn his CCRC application in May that year, at the same time as his admission of responsibility.
His apparent sudden about-turn came nine months before his eight-year minimum term was due to expire and four months before his first parole hearing, in September 2015.His apparent sudden about-turn came nine months before his eight-year minimum term was due to expire and four months before his first parole hearing, in September 2015.
Phillippa Kaufmann QC, who represented two of Worboys' victims at the judicial review hearing, suggested this was no coincidence.Phillippa Kaufmann QC, who represented two of Worboys' victims at the judicial review hearing, suggested this was no coincidence.
The Parole Board decided the 60-year-old should remain in a 'closed' prison because of the level of risk he posed. In fact, he's been held in Category A, high-security, prison accommodation for his entire sentence.The Parole Board decided the 60-year-old should remain in a 'closed' prison because of the level of risk he posed. In fact, he's been held in Category A, high-security, prison accommodation for his entire sentence.
What treatment did he receive?What treatment did he receive?
In 2015, on the psychologist's advice, Worboys - who has changed his name to John Radford - began a sex offender treatment programme.In 2015, on the psychologist's advice, Worboys - who has changed his name to John Radford - began a sex offender treatment programme.
In 2017, however, the effectiveness of it was called into question by research showing they do not reduce the likelihood of reoffending and may in fact increase it slightly.In 2017, however, the effectiveness of it was called into question by research showing they do not reduce the likelihood of reoffending and may in fact increase it slightly.
The Ministry of Justice scrapped the schemes, yet according to Ms Kaufmann that point was missed by the parole panel at his second, successful, parole hearing.The Ministry of Justice scrapped the schemes, yet according to Ms Kaufmann that point was missed by the parole panel at his second, successful, parole hearing.
Ahead of that hearing, in November last year, there appeared to be a consensus Worboys had not made enough progress in custody to warrant release, let alone a move to an 'open' prison, where inmates spend time in the community to help them adjust to life on the outside and test whether they're ready for such a move.Ahead of that hearing, in November last year, there appeared to be a consensus Worboys had not made enough progress in custody to warrant release, let alone a move to an 'open' prison, where inmates spend time in the community to help them adjust to life on the outside and test whether they're ready for such a move.
Worboys' probation officer, known as an offender manager, said he was at the "start of his treatment pathway" which needed to be "full and thorough given the seriousness and proliferation of his offending".Worboys' probation officer, known as an offender manager, said he was at the "start of his treatment pathway" which needed to be "full and thorough given the seriousness and proliferation of his offending".
So how was the decision made to release him?So how was the decision made to release him?
The High Court was told that in an interview in March that year, Worboys had described his victims as "happy drunks...not nasty" saying that by consuming alcohol they had "no respect for themselves". The offender supervisor agreed that he was not ready to be let out, as did a psychologist, commissioned by the prison authorities, who suggested only a review of Worboys' security category.The High Court was told that in an interview in March that year, Worboys had described his victims as "happy drunks...not nasty" saying that by consuming alcohol they had "no respect for themselves". The offender supervisor agreed that he was not ready to be let out, as did a psychologist, commissioned by the prison authorities, who suggested only a review of Worboys' security category.
But by the time of the parole hearing, last November, there was a sharp divergence of views.But by the time of the parole hearing, last November, there was a sharp divergence of views.
The psychologist, who'd been instructed by Worboys on a previous occasion, said they felt Worboys could now be "safely managed" in the community as he presented a "low risk" of sexual reoffending. Crucially, two other psychologists, who both gave evidence on Worboys' behalf, came to the same conclusion.The psychologist, who'd been instructed by Worboys on a previous occasion, said they felt Worboys could now be "safely managed" in the community as he presented a "low risk" of sexual reoffending. Crucially, two other psychologists, who both gave evidence on Worboys' behalf, came to the same conclusion.
Ranged against them were four prison and probation staff, consisting of two offender managers and a senior prison psychologist, who all said Worboys had to move gradually to lower security jails before release.Ranged against them were four prison and probation staff, consisting of two offender managers and a senior prison psychologist, who all said Worboys had to move gradually to lower security jails before release.
The case had also been discussed at meetings of MAPPA (Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements), a group of police, probation and prison staff responsible for managing violent and dangerous offenders. MAPPA believed Worboys still posed a high risk of harm and should not be released.The case had also been discussed at meetings of MAPPA (Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements), a group of police, probation and prison staff responsible for managing violent and dangerous offenders. MAPPA believed Worboys still posed a high risk of harm and should not be released.
The parole panel, which the Parole Board said was chaired by an "experienced" female member and included a psychologist and a lawyer, also heard evidence from prison officers and Worboys himself - the Board said he was "questioned in detail".The parole panel, which the Parole Board said was chaired by an "experienced" female member and included a psychologist and a lawyer, also heard evidence from prison officers and Worboys himself - the Board said he was "questioned in detail".
The Justice Secretary, who opposed release, was represented and one victim submitted a statement.The Justice Secretary, who opposed release, was represented and one victim submitted a statement.
The Panel, which had a 363-pages long dossier of information about Worboys, reached its decision, puzzlingly, on Boxing Day last year, though it wasn't made public until January.The Panel, which had a 363-pages long dossier of information about Worboys, reached its decision, puzzlingly, on Boxing Day last year, though it wasn't made public until January.
It concluded it was no longer necessary for Worboys to be held in prison because he'd taken "full responsibility" for his offending, learnt to be "open and honest", had a "good insight" into his risk factors and posed a "low risk of future sexual offending".It concluded it was no longer necessary for Worboys to be held in prison because he'd taken "full responsibility" for his offending, learnt to be "open and honest", had a "good insight" into his risk factors and posed a "low risk of future sexual offending".
The Panel said the risks he posed were not "imminent" and were "manageable" in the community, adding that an increase in risk was not "inevitable" and would be detected.The Panel said the risks he posed were not "imminent" and were "manageable" in the community, adding that an increase in risk was not "inevitable" and would be detected.
Could the decision be over-turned?
In general, the courts are reluctant to interfere with Parole Board decisions, unless something has gone seriously wrong.
Lawyers representing the two victims and the Mayor of London, believe this is such a case. The key argument they have put forward is the parole panel was wrong to rely on Worboys' "honesty" as evidence that it is safe to release him.
He admitted responsibility for the attacks he was convicted of, but he continues to protest his innocence of more than 80 other allegations, which according to police date back to 2002.
Mr Justice Green, who presided over a damages claim brought by victims against the Metropolitan Police, ruled that 105 women had been assaulted by Worboys over a period of five to six years.
Although the dossier which the panel relied on did contain references to the other allegations, it wasn't provided with the police material or the Green judgment, the High Court was told.
As a result, the version of events John Worboys gave to psychologists was "taken as a given", as Sir Brian Leveson, the most senior of the three judges hearing the legal challenge, tellingly put it.
The judges have to consider if the panel could legally have taken the other allegations into account; if they should have been considered; and what impact they might have had on the decision-making.
Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing Worboys, said the "historic" claims of abuse provided only "limited assistance" in addressing the current risk he posed, because he has already admitted being a "serial and multiple offender against women and addressed the underlying offending behaviour".
Mr Fitzgerald also pointed out Worboys would face strict conditions on release. He'd be banned from entering London and Sussex; have to live in an approved premises (staffed by probation workers); wear a satellite-tracking ankle tag; and undergo lie detector tests, to monitor his behaviour.
What could the implications of the ruling be?
The High Court ruling, when it comes, is likely to have implications that extend beyond this case, going to the heart of the way the Parole Board makes its decisions and how much reliance it can place on unproven allegations.
The court has also been asked to determine whether the Board's "blanket ban" on making public the reasons for its decisions is lawful or not.
That, ultimately, may prove to be a largely academic exercise as the Ministry of Justice is already reviewing the process, amid widespread support for greater transparency.
The Worboys case - which has exposed serious concerns about some of the evidence underpinning the release decision - has certainly demonstrated the need for that.