Victim can sue 'Lotto rapist'

London: A woman who was left mentally scarred after being sexually assaulted by a man who went on to win millions of pounds on the lottery yesterday won the right to sue him.

In a ruling which could pave the way for thousands of sexual abuse victims to sue their attackers, the Law Lords said the woman, known only as Mrs A, could seek compensation for the attempted rape in Leeds two decades ago.

In a statement read outside the Lords by her lawyer, Mrs A said she was "delighted and relieved" that the appeal had proved successful and that she had been able to change the law so that others in the future could "achieve justice".

"It was this, rather than financial gain, which motivated me to begin this process two years ago," she said.

Thousands of cases

Her attacker, Iorworth Hoare, dubbed the "Lotto rapist" by the press, had no money when he was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in 1989 for the crime.

He had previously subjected six other women to serious sexual assaults, including rape.

But in 2004, he won £7 million (Dh52 million) after buying a lottery ticket during day release from prison shortly before being freed on parole.

The Law Lords move sweeps away a bar on historic claims being brought for sexual assault and paves the way for thousands of sexual abuse victims to sue their attackers or local authorities, if they were in care at the time of the attack.

Until now, victims have been prevented by law from bringing a claim more than six years after an attack or, in child abuse cases, more than six years after reaching majority at 18.

Mrs A, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 59 when Hoare attacked her as she walked in Roundhay Park, Leeds, in broad daylight in 1988.

She argued that Hoare should be made to pay for his "violent and disgusting sexual assault" that had left her mentally scarred.