TAXI cab rapist John Worboys has been told by his legal team to forget about applying for parole until 2020.

Worboys, 61, was convicted nine years ago of 19 offences against 12 women.

The Parole Board amazingly declared him fit for release earlier this year — despite victims being told he would spend most of his life behind bars.

The decision sparked public outrage and was overturned by three High Court judges in March.

Since then, Worboys — who is in Wakefield Prison, West Yorks — has tried to work out a new tactic for a fresh parole application.

Initially, he was aiming for a human rights argument highlighting how to initially earmark him for release and then overturn the decision was a breach of them.

But a source said Worboys’ solicitor has told him to delay it until 2020 due to intense public feeling. They added: "He was aiming for a new summer parole appeal but his solicitor told him to forget about it as there was too much publicity around his case and it just wouldn’t happen.

“She’s said he should wait at least two years before he tries again but he’s adamant he is going to ask before.

Last month it emerged cops had quizzed Worboys over new claims dating back to 1997.

It means Worboys could now face new charges and another trial. If convicted, he could spend more behind bars.