This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/guernsey/6146586.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Woman wins tycoon rape claim case | Woman wins tycoon rape claim case |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A woman who said she endured three days of "fear and degradation" at the hands of an Alderney millionaire has been awarded £259,000 at the High Court. | A woman who said she endured three days of "fear and degradation" at the hands of an Alderney millionaire has been awarded £259,000 at the High Court. |
| Amanda Lawson sued the estate of computer firm boss Christopher Dawes, 39, over an alleged incident in 1998. | |
| Ms Lawson, 42, of Thornton Heath, Surrey, alleged she was repeatedly raped, drugged and plied with vodka. | Ms Lawson, 42, of Thornton Heath, Surrey, alleged she was repeatedly raped, drugged and plied with vodka. |
| Mr Dawes had denied rape and had not been charged when he died in a car accident in Essex three months later. | Mr Dawes had denied rape and had not been charged when he died in a car accident in Essex three months later. |
| No consent | |
| At the High Court in London Mr Justice Eady found that "she was sexually assaulted and raped on a number of occasions". | At the High Court in London Mr Justice Eady found that "she was sexually assaulted and raped on a number of occasions". |
| The judge found she had no wish to have a sexual relationship, short-term or otherwise, with Mr Dawes and did not at any time consent. | The judge found she had no wish to have a sexual relationship, short-term or otherwise, with Mr Dawes and did not at any time consent. |
| He found that Ms Lawson was constrained by the apprehension of violence and was falsely imprisoned "at the will" of Mr Dawes. | He found that Ms Lawson was constrained by the apprehension of violence and was falsely imprisoned "at the will" of Mr Dawes. |
| He said that he had no difficulty in concluding that she was entitled to succeed on the issues of liability. | He said that he had no difficulty in concluding that she was entitled to succeed on the issues of liability. |
| Hopefully, I'll be able to start rebuilding my life in the near future Amanda Lawson | Hopefully, I'll be able to start rebuilding my life in the near future Amanda Lawson |
| Ms Lawson sued the estate of Mr Dawes - the founder of Micromuse - over the psychological injury she said she had suffered and its effect on her ability to continue her lucrative hairdressing business. | |
| The estate said that she has suffered no loss and that it was all a fiction contrived by her for financial gain. | The estate said that she has suffered no loss and that it was all a fiction contrived by her for financial gain. |
| Family Christmas | |
| It was admitted that there were sexual relations and the use of controlled drugs, but that it happened with Ms Lawson's consent. | It was admitted that there were sexual relations and the use of controlled drugs, but that it happened with Ms Lawson's consent. |
| Ms Lawson repeatedly broke down as she told the court how she was living with a boyfriend, who she hoped to marry, and anticipating a family Christmas when she flew to Alderney. | Ms Lawson repeatedly broke down as she told the court how she was living with a boyfriend, who she hoped to marry, and anticipating a family Christmas when she flew to Alderney. |
| She flew to the island for an "opportunity of a lifetime" interview with Mr Dawes for a position fronting a modelling agency. | She flew to the island for an "opportunity of a lifetime" interview with Mr Dawes for a position fronting a modelling agency. |
| Instead, she was subjected to three days of fear and degradation, said her QC, Michael Soole. | Instead, she was subjected to three days of fear and degradation, said her QC, Michael Soole. |
| The court heard Ms Lawson tried to return to hairdressing after her ordeal and worked in a charity shop but was unable to cope with any stress. | |
| The award is believed to be one of the highest made by a UK court in a civil rape case. | |
| Ms Lawson will also receive an interim payment of £200,000 on account of costs. | Ms Lawson will also receive an interim payment of £200,000 on account of costs. |
| Afterwards, she said: "I hope that my actions give other rape victims the courage to stand up to their attackers, no matter who they are or how long it takes. | Afterwards, she said: "I hope that my actions give other rape victims the courage to stand up to their attackers, no matter who they are or how long it takes. |
| "Hopefully, I'll be able to start rebuilding my life in the near future." | "Hopefully, I'll be able to start rebuilding my life in the near future." |