Lotto rapist case goes to House of Lords

Monday, October 29, 2007 posted 03:00 AM EDT

The victim of a convicted rapist who won £7 million on the lottery while in prison will take her battle for compensation to the House of Lords this week.

If successful, the woman will have brought about a change in the law that says a claim for damages due to intentional sexual assault must be brought within six years.

Iorworth Hoare was jailed for life in 1989 for the attempted rape of the woman, then a 59-year-old teacher. He had previously been convicted of sex attacks, including rape, in the 1970s and 1980s.

He won the National Lottery in 2004 after buying a ticket while on day release. His windfall led to a debate on whether convicted prisoners should be allowed to gamble.

Shortly after his win he was released and settled in Sunderland. Hoare has never volunteered to compensate his victim, who received just £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board following his conviction.

The woman, known only as Mrs A, is taking a civil claim to the House of Lords, after being refused compensation by lower courts. Her lawyers, DLA Piper, will argue that the law needs to be amended.

Her case could establish a legal precedent because it would extend the deadline for victims to sue for compensation.

Mrs A said: "I decided to take this claim forward in order to fight for justice for myself but far more important for others who will also face similar injustice in the face of an unfair and out-of-date legal statute."

Damian Crosse, her lawyer, said: "My client and others like her should be able to gain justice through the civil courts and there is clearly an anomaly in the law as it stands that is preventing them from doing so."

The hearing at the House of Lords is scheduled to begin on Thursday.

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