Rape Case

31 January 2008

By Corinne Day

A victim of rape whose attacker, Iorworth Hoare, subsequently went on to win £7 million on tne National Lottery has this morning been given permission to sue her attacker for compensation.

The landmark ruling paves the way for thousands of compensation claims against rapists. 5 Law Lords are now expected to abolish a law which states that victims are only able to claim for compensation no more than 6 years after an attack, or in child abuse case, no more than 6 years after reaching the age of 18. The victim, known as Mrs A, had previously claimed £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Her later attempts to sue him after he won £7 million from a lottery ticket which he had purchased whilst on day release from a life sentence, had failed miserably. She was even ordered to pay him £100,000 in legal fees because of the 6 years time bar under the Limitation Act 1980.

Mrs A's solicitor, Damien Crosse said, "We want to see a change in the law to ensure Mrs A is fairly compensated for the damage and suffering she has had to endure as a result of being attacked by Hoare".

Corinne Day is a trademark lawyer who specialises in information technology law and intellectual property law.