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John Worboys appeal - LIVE: 'Black cab rapist' will not be released from prison early, High Court rules | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Victims of black cab rapist John Worboys have won their legal challenge against a decision to release him from prison. | |
A ruling in the landmark case was given by three judges at the High Court in London, who heard evidence over two days earlier this month. | |
Lawyers for two of Worboys' victims had argued that the Parole Board's decision to release the 60-year-old serial sex attacker was “irrational”, and should be overturned. | |
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load | Please allow a moment for the live blog to load |
At the conclusion of the hearing on 14 March the judges continued a temporary bar preventing Worboys' release, which was originally granted in January. | At the conclusion of the hearing on 14 March the judges continued a temporary bar preventing Worboys' release, which was originally granted in January. |
Worboys, who now goes by the name John Radford, watched via a video link from prison as Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice Garnham and Mr Justice Jay said they would give their decision “anxious scrutiny”. | Worboys, who now goes by the name John Radford, watched via a video link from prison as Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice Garnham and Mr Justice Jay said they would give their decision “anxious scrutiny”. |
Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing Worboys, told the court: “He has completed his tariff and he is therefore entitled to be released if it is not necessary for the protection of the public that he be detained. | Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing Worboys, told the court: “He has completed his tariff and he is therefore entitled to be released if it is not necessary for the protection of the public that he be detained. |
“The Parole Board had directed his release, he was entitled on their direction to freedom and he has had that taken away. | “The Parole Board had directed his release, he was entitled on their direction to freedom and he has had that taken away. |
“I think it is a unique case in which someone who has been granted his freedom has then had it taken away from him. | “I think it is a unique case in which someone who has been granted his freedom has then had it taken away from him. |
“If ever there was a case for the judicial review jurisdiction to be exercised with the greatest care and anxious scrutiny, it is this case.” | “If ever there was a case for the judicial review jurisdiction to be exercised with the greatest care and anxious scrutiny, it is this case.” |
Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after being found guilty of 19 offences, including rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims. | Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after being found guilty of 19 offences, including rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims. |
He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage. | He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage. |
Police believe he committed crimes against 105 women between 2002 and 2008, when he was caught. | Police believe he committed crimes against 105 women between 2002 and 2008, when he was caught. |
The two victims who brought the case believe something went “badly wrong” with the Parole Board's decision to free him. | The two victims who brought the case believe something went “badly wrong” with the Parole Board's decision to free him. |
They say the Parole Board should have taken into account “critical evidence” of the “wider allegations” against Worboys. | They say the Parole Board should have taken into account “critical evidence” of the “wider allegations” against Worboys. |
The judges heard that Worboys, who has served 10 years behind bars, including remand time, has denied committing any offences other than those for which he was convicted. | The judges heard that Worboys, who has served 10 years behind bars, including remand time, has denied committing any offences other than those for which he was convicted. |
The Parole Board argues that its decision was “lawful and and rational” and was based on appropriate evidence. | The Parole Board argues that its decision was “lawful and and rational” and was based on appropriate evidence. |
London's Mayor Sadiq Khan and The Sun newspaper have also taken part in the legal action. | London's Mayor Sadiq Khan and The Sun newspaper have also taken part in the legal action. |