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Lords rule on Lotto rapist victim Lords win for Lotto rapist victim
(about 3 hours later)
A victim of millionaire rapist Iorworth Hoare is due to find out whether she has won her 20-year fight for compensation from her attacker. A woman whose life was ruined by a sex attacker who went on to win £7m on the National Lottery has won the right to claim compensation from him.
Previously lawyers for the woman, known as Mrs A, said they were optimistic the House of Lords would make a landmark ruling in favour of her appeal. Iorworth Hoare, 53, was jailed for life in May 1989 for the attempted rape of a 59-year-old woman, Mrs A, in Leeds.
Hoare, 53, was jailed for life in May 1989 for the attempted rape of Mrs A in Roundhay Park, Leeds.
He won £7m when he bought a lottery ticket while on day release from jail.He won £7m when he bought a lottery ticket while on day release from jail.
Five Law Lords have ruled in favour of Mrs A, who asked them to change a law which bars damages claims made more than six years after the event.
Four other appeals by people alleging sexual abuse many years ago also succeeded. These victims will now also be able to go to court to claim damages.
Luxury lifestyle
In a statement released through her solicitor, Mrs A said: "I am both delighted and relieved that I have succeeded in changing the law which will provide others in the future with the hope of achieving justice.
"It was this, rather than financial gain, that led me to begin this process two years ago."
Mrs A received just £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after the attack in February 1988.
Hoare was also jailed several times for a string of sex attacks, including rape, two attempted rapes and three indecent assaults, during the 1970s and 1980s.Hoare was also jailed several times for a string of sex attacks, including rape, two attempted rapes and three indecent assaults, during the 1970s and 1980s.
He now lives in a £700,000 mansion in Ponteland, Northumberland. He now lives in a £700,000 mansion in Ponteland, Northumberland after he was one of three winners to share a £21m Lotto Extra jackpot on 7 August 2004.
In 2005, a High Court judge ruled a compensation claim by Mrs A was outside the legal six-year limit. The Appeal Court upheld that decision.
Historic claimsHistoric claims
In 2005, a High Court judge ruled that a compensation claim by Mrs A was outside the legal six-year limit. The Appeal Court upheld that decision. The Law Lords had been examining whether it was fair to preclude claims six years after an attack, or, in child abuse cases, more than six years after the victim reaches 18.
The Law Lords have been examining whether it is fair to preclude claims six years after an attack, or, in child abuse cases, more than six years after the victim reaches 18. Their ruling in favour of Mrs A could pave the way for thousands of actions by victims of sex abuse to make historic claims against their attackers, some dating back many years.
A ruling in favour of Mrs A could pave the way for thousands of actions by victims of sex abuse to make historic claims against their attackers, some dating back many years. Victim Support welcomed the ruling but said it would help only a small number of people.
Mrs A was awarded £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after she was attacked by Hoare in 1988. Spokesman Paul Fawcett said: "It's very good news for her but the wider significance is questionable because the vast majority of offenders don't have assets to chase.
She was ordered to pay his legal fees after unsuccessful attempts to bring a case for compensation in the High Court and Court of Appeal. "We have long campaigned for a public fund to allow the courts to award compensation, leaving it to the courts to recover assets from the offender and allowing the victim to walk away and put the crime behind them."