How did the Probation Service fail victims of John Worboys?
Worboys is taken to court in cuffs before he was jailed in 2009
Victims of black-taxi rapist John Worboys learned of the decision to release him from prison in the media, a damning review has found.
Chief Inspector of Probation Dame Glenys Stacey was asked by the Government to carry out an urgent review of the 'victim contact scheme' last month amid a furore over the Worboys case.
Her report said that by the time of the parole hearing, five women were in contact with the scheme, but it criticized the way in which staff maintained contact with victims, with some letters misspelling names and addresses.
Here are some of the key findings:
- The National Probation Service 'generally complied' with the provisions of the Victim Contact Scheme.
- Correspondence sent to women who opted into the scheme was of 'poor' quality, with errors in names and addresses, while messages were 'not conveyed clearly'.
- Prior to Worboys' parole hearing, attempts were made to contact women who had not opted into the scheme, which was a 'well-intentioned action' - but there was not enough time for the recipients to absorb the information and respond.
- Five women in contact with the scheme at the time of the hearing were notified of the decision to direct Worboys' release by letter, email or telephone call.
- They each received the news at different times and it broke in the press before some had received and read the notification.
- Women not in contact with the scheme learned of the decision through the media.
- Victims described their 'shock and distress' at the news, saying they had not felt prepared for the outcome.
Read articles that feature this panel
John Worboys victim who confronted her fears to face the black cab rapist in court says it is a 'huge relief' that she has won chance to...
The sex attacker, seen in public (pictured) for the first time since he was convicted in 2009, appeared grey and haggard as he sat in a...
Parole Board freed black cab rapist John Worboys because he was 'open and honest' and they ONLY considered the 12 victims he was convicted...
The 60-year-old, whose victims are trying to stop his release, has also learned 'not to hide negative thoughts and feelings' during...
Most watched News videos
- New video shows Epstein laughing and chasing young women
- Epstein describes himself as a 'tier one' sexual predator
- British Airways passengers turn flight into a church service
- Buddhist monks in Thailand caught with a stash of porn
- Skier dressed as Chewbacca brutally beaten in mass brawl
- Sarah Ferguson 'took Princesses' to see Epstein after prison
- Melinda Gates says Bill Gates must answer questions about Epstein
- Jenna Bush Hager in tears over disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
- Forth Bridge fireball fall into village streets
- China unveils 'Star Wars' warship that can deploy unmanned jets
- Amazon driver's furious rant about deliveries captured on ring camera
- Two schoolboys plummet out the window of a moving bus
