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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Lords win for Lotto rapist victim | Lords win for Lotto rapist victim |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Iorworth Hoare, 53, was jailed for life in May 1989 for the attempted rape of a 59-year-old woman, Mrs A, in Leeds. | Iorworth Hoare, 53, was jailed for life in May 1989 for the attempted rape of a 59-year-old woman, Mrs A, in Leeds. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The landmark ruling could pave the way for other victims to sue attackers. | |
| Until now they have been prevented from bringing a claim more than six years after an attack or, in child abuse cases, more than six years after the victim reaches 18. | |
| 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. | 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 | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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 after he was one of three winners to share a £21m Lotto Extra jackpot on 7 August 2004. | 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. |
| He bought the lottery ticket while on day release from jail. | |
| Ruling welcomed | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Victim Support welcomed the ruling but said it would help only a small number of people. | Victim Support welcomed the ruling but said it would help only a small number of people. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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." | "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." |