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SHRINK RAPPED

John Worboys experts insist public backlash against them was WRONG after deeming the rapist fit for release

TWO experts whose evidence led to black cab rapist John Worboys being declared fit for release insist the public backlash against them was wrong.

The psychologists were slammed by the High Court last month for failing to thoroughly probe if the fiend was being “open and honest” with them.

 John Worboys being deemed safe to be freed sparked anger among the public after it emerged in January
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John Worboys being deemed safe to be freed sparked anger among the public after it emerged in JanuaryCredit: PA:Press Association

But in a letter in The Psychologist journal, the unnamed pair said the public blundered by approaching the case in a “common sense fashion”.

Bizarrely, they claimed “sometimes common sense lets us down” and hinted Worboys, 60, posed less risk because he had repeatedly denied his guilt.

Citing a 2015 study of 7,000 UK sex offenders, the pair said its findings showed “those who took full responsibility for their offence sexually re-offended at a significantly higher rate than those who took partial or no responsibility for their offence”.

Warboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum eight-year term for 19 sex offences against 12 women.

 John Worboys, pictured in handcuffs at the High Court in London, was jailed indefinitely in 2009
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John Worboys, pictured in handcuffs at the High Court in London, was jailed indefinitely in 2009Credit: London News Pictures

The Parole Board’s decision that he was safe to walk free sparked public fury when it emerged in January.

The ruling was overturned last month after a landmark legal challenge by two brave victims. A court bid by The Sun also won the right to reveal the Parole Board’s reasons, ripping up its strict secrecy rules.

Board chairman Nick Hardwick was forced to quit.

Three psychologists played key roles. One is said to be Dr Jackie Craissati, who has been accused of consistently urging leniency for sex offenders.

 John Worboys experts bizarrely claimed the rapist posed less risk to the public as he denied his guilt
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John Worboys experts bizarrely claimed the rapist posed less risk to the public as he denied his guiltCredit: London News Pictures

It is not clear if Dr Craissati was one of the authors of the letter.

Worboys eventually owned up to his crimes just before he first became eligible for parole. His lawyers instructed the first psychologist in August 2017.

The beast told him his crimes followed a row with his ex-wife in 2006.

But he later told another shrink his first offence had been triggered nearly a year earlier than he had claimed.

John Worboys victim opens up about attack to Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain