Victims and Sadiq Khan win bid to challenge release of rapist John Worboys

Two of black cab rapist John Worboys' victims have been given the go-ahead to challenge the decision to release him from prison.

Judges sitting at the High Court on Wednesday also granted permission to London Mayor Sadiq Khan to bring a judicial review action against the Parole Board.

Sir Brian Leveson and Mr Justice Garnham ruled that their cases could proceed to a full hearing next month.

John Worboys (PA)
John Worboys (PA)

Last month, another senior judge temporarily blocked the 60-year-old serial sex attacker's release pending the hearing in London before the two judges.

Sir Brian and Mr Justice Garnham ruled that bar should be continued.

Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers.

He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

Worboys was present in the dock of the court, flanked by security officers, to hear the ruling of the two judges.

The black cab of London cabbie rapist John Worboys (Metropolitan Police/PA)
The black cab of London cabbie rapist John Worboys (Metropolitan Police/PA)

He said the judicial review claims brought by the two women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and Mr Khan "shall be linked".

The judge stated that the release of Worboys "pursuant to the decision of the Parole Board for England and Wales directing his release shall be stayed pending the hearing on permission for judicial review and directions... or further order".

Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers.

He became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

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