Full Breakdown
Carrie Johnson Calls for Justice as John Worboys Denied Parole
5/20/2026, 10:36:33 PM
Parole Board Decision and Immediate Context
The Parole Board last week refused John Worboys—known as the “black-cab rapist”—any release, stating he “continues to represent a high risk of committing further serious sexual offences against women.” The board also rejected a move to an open prison. Under current legislation, Worboys will be eligible for another parole review in roughly two years, with the date to be set by the Ministry of Justice.
Background: The Black-Cab Rapist’s Crimes
John Worboys, who later changed his name to John Radford while incarcerated, operated a London black cab from 2000 to 2009. During that period he drugged female passengers with spiked drinks, offering celebratory champagne or vodka after claiming to have won money at a casino. He was first convicted in 2009 of 19 sexual offences linked to attacks on 12 women between October 2006 and February 2008, receiving an indefinite sentence for public protection with a minimum term of eight years. In 2019, after additional victims came forward, he was sentenced to two life terms with a minimum of six years.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2000-2008 – Period of alleged offences.
- Oct 2006-Feb 2008 – 12 identified attacks.
- 2009 – First conviction, indefinite sentence (minimum 8 years).
- 2017 – Parole Board initially recommended release; decision overturned after legal challenge.
- 2019 – Additional convictions, two life sentences (minimum 6 years).
- May 20 2026 – Parole Board denies parole for a second time.
Data & Statistics
- 19 sexual offences initially proven; later convictions added for crimes spanning 2000-2008.
- Minimum terms: eight years (original sentence) and six years (2019 life sentences).
- Carrie Johnson estimates “up to 1,000, if not more” potential victims, based on Worboys’s nightly cab work over nine years.
Carrie Johnson’s Personal Account
Johnson, then a 19-year-old university student, recounted being offered champagne that she poured onto the taxi floor, followed by a vodka shot that was later found to be drugged. She passed out in the bathroom, fully clothed, and only realized she had been drugged after a friend linked her experience to a newspaper story. She identified Worboys in a police line-up and supplied his phone number, leading to his arrest.
Official Statements & Responses
- Parole Board: Worboys “continues to represent a high risk” and is denied release.
- Ministry of Justice: The board’s decision will stand; a future review date will be set.
- Former Justice Secretary David Gauke (2017): The government would not contest Worboys’s release, reflecting the then-existing parole framework.
Criticism of Police Handling
Johnson criticised the Metropolitan Police, saying “the way the girls were treated by police was truly shocking” and that “rape cases are treated very differently by the police than any other crime.” She called for a dedicated officer within the Met to handle Worboys victims.
Why It Matters
The case underscores ongoing concerns about the parole system’s capacity to protect the public from high-risk sexual offenders, the adequacy of police response to sexual assault, and the broader impact on victims’ willingness to come forward.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The truth is that his crimes span from, what we know, from 2000 up to when he was convicted in 2009,” — Carrie Johnson, Good Morning Britain.
- “I think there’ll be women who, like me, were drugged, who might not realise they were drugged, who just thought: ‘God, maybe that last drink didn’t sit well with me.’ Or now maybe they’ve seen what’s happened and they think: ‘Oh well, it’s done.’ I would urge them to come forward if they can,” — Carrie Johnson, Good Morning Britain.
- “The relief I feel knowing that he will remain behind bars is hard to put into words. Women and girls across Britain are safer as a result of this decision.” — Carrie Johnson, X post.
- “The way the girls were treated by police was truly shocking.” — Carrie Johnson, GMB interview.
- “If it had been a few minutes later I would have passed out.” — Carrie Johnson, Daily Mail.
What’s Next
Worboys’s next parole hearing is slated for around 2028. Advocacy groups, including Johnson’s survivor network, continue to urge reforms to parole transparency and a dedicated victim liaison within the Metropolitan Police.
