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| I’ve spoken to Worboys’ victims, and this release is a huge betrayal | I’ve spoken to Worboys’ victims, and this release is a huge betrayal |
| (10 days later) | |
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| Fri 5 Jan 2018 12.34 GMT | |
| Last modified on Fri 5 Jan 2018 13.48 GMT | |
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| The Parole Board decision that the sexual predator John Worboys is to be released after just over nine years in prison is nothing short of a scandal. He was jailed in 2009 for sexual assault, rape and drugging offences, in a case that laid bare the endemic police complacency in investigating sexual assault. It also revealed the culture of disbelief when young women come forward who were drinking and “out for a good time”. | The Parole Board decision that the sexual predator John Worboys is to be released after just over nine years in prison is nothing short of a scandal. He was jailed in 2009 for sexual assault, rape and drugging offences, in a case that laid bare the endemic police complacency in investigating sexual assault. It also revealed the culture of disbelief when young women come forward who were drinking and “out for a good time”. |
| In order to make its decision, the Parole Board had to assess whether this man was still “a danger to the public”. It must have decided that he is not. | In order to make its decision, the Parole Board had to assess whether this man was still “a danger to the public”. It must have decided that he is not. |
| To date, 105 women have reported their suspicion that Worboys drugged and raped them during his reign of terror, and there are more who will not be able to face doing so. Police have previously commented that they believe the toll is likely to be as high as 200 victims. | To date, 105 women have reported their suspicion that Worboys drugged and raped them during his reign of terror, and there are more who will not be able to face doing so. Police have previously commented that they believe the toll is likely to be as high as 200 victims. |
| The Parole Board is able to assess the continued risk posed by prisoners based on psychiatrist and prison guard reports at Parole Board hearings that take place around once a year for each offender. Some of the hearings are oral, some of them written. | The Parole Board is able to assess the continued risk posed by prisoners based on psychiatrist and prison guard reports at Parole Board hearings that take place around once a year for each offender. Some of the hearings are oral, some of them written. |
| In November, a three-person panel of the Parole Board directed the release of Worboys, following an oral hearing. He will be released back into society under strict monitoring on a licence period of at least 10 years. | In November, a three-person panel of the Parole Board directed the release of Worboys, following an oral hearing. He will be released back into society under strict monitoring on a licence period of at least 10 years. |
| Parole Board hearings are held in private and reasons for release are not made public, although a consultation is to be launched on how the body shares its decision-making with the public. | Parole Board hearings are held in private and reasons for release are not made public, although a consultation is to be launched on how the body shares its decision-making with the public. |
| The Parole Board is an independent body and its recommendation for Worboys’ release cannot be overturned by the Ministry of Justice. | The Parole Board is an independent body and its recommendation for Worboys’ release cannot be overturned by the Ministry of Justice. |
| There are examples of Parole Board decisions being challenged by judicial review in the courts, but only when the prisoner has been denied release. | There are examples of Parole Board decisions being challenged by judicial review in the courts, but only when the prisoner has been denied release. |
| Read a fuller explainer on John Worboys | Read a fuller explainer on John Worboys |
| Why has the Parole Board taken this decision, despite a pre-sentencing report in 2009 finding that Worboys was “a repetitive predatory sexual offender”? What has changed? Worboys has never admitted to any further attacks. In fact, in 2010 he unsuccessfully appealed against his conviction, which suggests he was denying his guilt for even those crimes he was convicted of. | Why has the Parole Board taken this decision, despite a pre-sentencing report in 2009 finding that Worboys was “a repetitive predatory sexual offender”? What has changed? Worboys has never admitted to any further attacks. In fact, in 2010 he unsuccessfully appealed against his conviction, which suggests he was denying his guilt for even those crimes he was convicted of. |
| Why did the Crown Prosecution Service, under Keir Starmer, the then director of public prosecutions, decide that it was “not in the public interest” to put Worboys on trial after these new witnesses came forward following a police appeal? It was said at the time that Worboys was already serving an indeterminate sentence (with no definite period of time set during sentencing), implying that there was no need to up the ante. | Why did the Crown Prosecution Service, under Keir Starmer, the then director of public prosecutions, decide that it was “not in the public interest” to put Worboys on trial after these new witnesses came forward following a police appeal? It was said at the time that Worboys was already serving an indeterminate sentence (with no definite period of time set during sentencing), implying that there was no need to up the ante. |
| But had Worboys been tried for a few dozen more rapes and convicted for at least some, it is likely he would have served several more years before any Parole Board would have even considered him fit for release. I have spoken to two of the women who reported Worboys but were told he would not stand trial for his offences against them. One told me she had has a permanent pain in her gut since the day she realised he had got away with what he did to her. | But had Worboys been tried for a few dozen more rapes and convicted for at least some, it is likely he would have served several more years before any Parole Board would have even considered him fit for release. I have spoken to two of the women who reported Worboys but were told he would not stand trial for his offences against them. One told me she had has a permanent pain in her gut since the day she realised he had got away with what he did to her. |
| In sentencing Worboys in 2009, the judge said that he would not be released until a parole board decides he no longer presents a threat to women. As such, the reasoning behind this board’s decision should be made public. How has it been determined that he no longer poses a threat to women and girls? | In sentencing Worboys in 2009, the judge said that he would not be released until a parole board decides he no longer presents a threat to women. As such, the reasoning behind this board’s decision should be made public. How has it been determined that he no longer poses a threat to women and girls? |
| Worboys’ former wife, Jean Clayton, understands how dangerous this man is. Clayton and Worboys married in 1991. On hearing of his imminent release, Clayton said she was “disgusted”, and that she’d always believe that, had he not been sent to prison for the rapes, he could have gone on to murder someone. | Worboys’ former wife, Jean Clayton, understands how dangerous this man is. Clayton and Worboys married in 1991. On hearing of his imminent release, Clayton said she was “disgusted”, and that she’d always believe that, had he not been sent to prison for the rapes, he could have gone on to murder someone. |
| During the trial, we heard horrific details from those victims who had their day in court. They spoke of waking up terrified, vomiting and feeling disorientated, with total memory loss. Others noticed heavy bruises on their legs, breasts and genital area. One woman could not work out why her tampon was missing. Another came round from her drug-induced sleep to find her skirt pushed to her waist, only to hear from police later in the investigation that she had been forcibly penetrated with a vibrator. | During the trial, we heard horrific details from those victims who had their day in court. They spoke of waking up terrified, vomiting and feeling disorientated, with total memory loss. Others noticed heavy bruises on their legs, breasts and genital area. One woman could not work out why her tampon was missing. Another came round from her drug-induced sleep to find her skirt pushed to her waist, only to hear from police later in the investigation that she had been forcibly penetrated with a vibrator. |
| I want Worboys to stay in prison, not out of any sense of revenge, but because he is still a danger to women | I want Worboys to stay in prison, not out of any sense of revenge, but because he is still a danger to women |
| Some of the women spoke of how Worboys became aggressive when they refused to take a drink from him. Others were forcibly kissed, as he held on to their hair so they couldn’t move. A 19-year-old victim was asked if she would drink a glass of vodka for £50, and when she agreed, he tried to pressure her to give him oral sex for £250. | Some of the women spoke of how Worboys became aggressive when they refused to take a drink from him. Others were forcibly kissed, as he held on to their hair so they couldn’t move. A 19-year-old victim was asked if she would drink a glass of vodka for £50, and when she agreed, he tried to pressure her to give him oral sex for £250. |
| Worboys forced pills into one woman’s mouth as she desperately struggled to get away. He tried to lure at least one woman into taking part in a pornographic film. One of his victims had given birth only weeks before, and was out on her first night out since having her baby. | Worboys forced pills into one woman’s mouth as she desperately struggled to get away. He tried to lure at least one woman into taking part in a pornographic film. One of his victims had given birth only weeks before, and was out on her first night out since having her baby. |
| I want Worboys to stay in prison not out of any sense of revenge, but because he is still a danger to women. It is hard enough to get a conviction for rape in the first place. So why release one of Britain’s worst sex offenders, especially when there are scores of women who have never had justice for his attacks on them? | I want Worboys to stay in prison not out of any sense of revenge, but because he is still a danger to women. It is hard enough to get a conviction for rape in the first place. So why release one of Britain’s worst sex offenders, especially when there are scores of women who have never had justice for his attacks on them? |
| What does the Parole Board decision say to other men who consider rape to be a leisure activity? What does it say to women who have been raped but were never believed, or whose rapists evaded prison? Worboys is a rare example of a rapist who actually ends up in prison. Why release him early? | What does the Parole Board decision say to other men who consider rape to be a leisure activity? What does it say to women who have been raped but were never believed, or whose rapists evaded prison? Worboys is a rare example of a rapist who actually ends up in prison. Why release him early? |
| I can’t think of a better example of a man who should stay locked up for a very long time. Some women who are convicted of making false allegations of rape are treated more harshly than serial rapists. Take the case of Jemma Beale, who claimed she had been sexually assaulted by a number of men over a period of three years. Last year Beale was jailed for 10 years. | I can’t think of a better example of a man who should stay locked up for a very long time. Some women who are convicted of making false allegations of rape are treated more harshly than serial rapists. Take the case of Jemma Beale, who claimed she had been sexually assaulted by a number of men over a period of three years. Last year Beale was jailed for 10 years. |
| The widespread disgust at the news of Worboys’ release is not a kneejerk hang-’em-and-flog-’em response. I believe in rehabilitation, and consider prison to be appropriate only for those too dangerous to live among the general public. Are women not included in the general public? I say, keep him locked up. It is the least his numerous victims, and all women, deserve. | The widespread disgust at the news of Worboys’ release is not a kneejerk hang-’em-and-flog-’em response. I believe in rehabilitation, and consider prison to be appropriate only for those too dangerous to live among the general public. Are women not included in the general public? I say, keep him locked up. It is the least his numerous victims, and all women, deserve. |
| • Julie Bindel is a freelance journalist and political activist, and a founder of Justice for Women | • Julie Bindel is a freelance journalist and political activist, and a founder of Justice for Women |
| John Worboys | |
| First thoughts | |
| Police | |
| Crime | |
| Rape and sexual assault | |
| Prisons and probation | |
| UK criminal justice | |
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