Victim wins right to sue Lotto rapist

Jan 31 2008 by Matthew Mckenzie, The Journal

A VICTIM of lottery-winning rapist Iorworth Hoare has won the right to claim compensation from him.

In a landmark ruling that is expected to open the floodgates to thousands of claims from sexual abuse victims, the Law Lords ruled that a retired teacher and four other victims of sexual abuse could sue for damages, even though their claims came outside a six-year time limit.

The retired teacher – known as Mrs A – was attacked in Roundhay Park, Leeds, in 1988 by Iorworth Hoare, who now lives in Darras Hall, Northumberland.

She was joined in the House of Lords case by a man who was abused by Neville Husband, a prison officer in County Durham who later became a church minister and was jailed for eight years in 2003 for sexually abusing five boys at the Medomsley Detention Centre. Their case centres around previous rulings that victims of child abuse cannot sue for damages six years after the offence took place.

The five Law Lords unanimously allowed their appeal and all the cases were sent back to the High Court so that they can be reconsidered.

In a statement read outside the court by solicitor Sandra Baker, Mrs A said: “I am both delighted and relieved that my appeal to the House of Lords has been successful and that I have succeeded in changing a law which will provide others in the future with a means of achieving justice.

“It was this, rather than financial gain, which motivated me to begin this process two years ago.”

Mrs A received just £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after the brutal attack by Hoare 20 years ago. But the 79-year-old was ordered to pay Hoare’s £100,000 legal fees after unsuccessful attempts to bring a case for compensation in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Mrs A says she still suffers from nightmares and claims the brutality of the attack destroyed her self esteem, wrecked her relationships and ruined her life. Hoare, 59, had not been worth suing until he won £7m on the Lotto Extra.

He was jailed for life in 1989 and spent 16 years in prison before his win while on day release late in 2004. He was freed on parole the following March and is now reported to live in a £700,000 mansion on Darras Hall.

News that his victim was now able to sue Hoare delighted his neighbours.

A nearby neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s wonderful news. I hope she takes him for every penny he has got.

“Then hopefully he will have to sell up and move out and we will see the back of him for good.”