Victim cleared to sue Lotto rapist

A woman has cleared the final legal hurdle standing in the way of her bid to claim compensation from Lotto rapist Iorworth Hoare.

The 78-year-old former teacher was told by a High Court judge that she can go ahead with her damages for the psychological injuries she says she suffered after he attacked her in Roundhay Park, Leeds, in 1988.

Hoare, 59, was convicted of attempted rape and jailed for life - he had six previous convictions for rape, attempted rape and indecent assault - and spent 16 years in prison.

He bought a Lotto Extra ticket while on day release from prison in August 2004 and won £7 million.

Five months ago, the woman, Mrs A, won a vital ruling from the Law Lords that, in cases of serious assault, courts had a discretion to extend the usual time limit within which compensation claims must be brought.

Her claim was sent back to the High Court for a decision on whether, in the particular circumstances of her case, she should be allowed to sue 20 years after the event.

Mr Justice Coulson said there were some factors in Hoare's favour but the factors in Mrs A's favour carried far greater weight.

His lack of funds prior to his lottery win, meaning he was not worth pursuing for damages, was the main reason for the delay in bringing the action.

The judge said the delay was reasonable on the particular facts of the case.

He rejected suggestions that his ruling could open the floodgates to people trying to get round the legal time limits by relying on a defendant's impecuniousity.

Mrs A's case was "wholly exceptional", he said. Such circumstances would rarely arise.

"It will be even rarer for such a defendant, years later, to buy a lottery ticket which wins him £7 million or otherwise comes into an unexpected fortune which makes him suddenly worth pursuing after all," the judge said.

He ordered an urgent trial of Mrs A's damages action if no settlement is reached.

Mrs A says she still suffers from nightmares and that the brutality of the assault destroyed her self-esteem and wrecked her relationships.

Hoare, released from prison in 2005, is reported to live in a £700,000 house near Newcastle.

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