Woman may sue 'Lotto rapist'
2008-01-30 15:38
London - A British court gave a woman the right on Wednesday to claim compensation from a man who sexually assaulted her and then went on to win a lottery jackpot whilst serving a prison sentence.
The woman, known only as Mrs A, asked five judges at Britain's highest court in November last year to overturn a law that prevents victims from claiming damages six years after an incident.
Giving their unanimous ruling, the Law Lords said the woman - who initially received just £5 000 in compensation following the attack in a park in Leeds, northern England, 20 years ago - could now claim.
They said it should be at the discretion of High Court judges to determine whether such victims can sue his or her attacker because sexual abuse or assault cases were often not reported until many years later.
The judges sent Mrs A's case and four others involving sexual abuse, some involving children, back to the lower court for consideration. The landmark ruling could potentially lead to a huge increase in claims from such victims.
Mrs A's attacker, Iorworth Hoare, had previously subjected six other women to sexual assaults, including rape. He was jailed for life for attempted rape in 1989 and spent 16 years in prison.
Hoare, 59, won £7m on Britain's National Lottery while on day release in 2004.
He was freed on parole in March 2005 but tracked down by the British tabloid press, who nicknamed him "the Lotto Rapist" and contrasted his apparently lavish lifestyle with the continued plight of his victims.
Mrs A said in a statement read by her lawyer outside the House of Lords that she was "both delighted and relieved" that her landmark appeal had been successful.
The 79-year-old former teacher said she had been motivated throughout by a desire to change the law rather than financial gain.
"It is to be hoped that my claim for damages against Iorwoth Hoare will now be brought to a speedy resolution without the need for me to endure further protracted litigation," she added.
"I hope that many others in the future will be able to benefit from the change in the law which I helped to bring about."