Mother dies 16 months after attack

The post mortem will be carried out in Southampton

A woman has died 16 months after she was left brain damaged when she was beaten and raped.

Detectives will now have to decide whether to charge the attacker of 44-year-old Vivien Watson with murder.

Mother-of-four Mrs Watson, from Emsworth, Hampshire, died in hospital on Wednesday morning.

Her attacker, Damian Taylor, is serving 25 years for her rape and attempted murder.

No decision about future police action in the case will be taken until the post mortem is complete

Hampshire police

A Home Office pathologist will conduct a post-mortem examination at Southampton General Hospital on 25 November.

A police spokeswoman said: "No decision about future action in the case will be taken until the post mortem is complete."

Mrs Watson was found naked, beaten and unconscious near a path in Hambledon on 24 July 2001.

She had suffered massive head injuries and had been left for dead.

Taylor, 30, from Fareham in Hampshire, was convicted of the assault and rape of Mrs Watson after a trial in July at Winchester Crown Court.

His girlfriend Kerry Young, from Rowner in Hampshire, was convicted of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent at the same trial and was jailed for five years.

You showed her no mercy

Mr Justice Michael Turner

The court was told Taylor had criminal convictions stretching back to the 1980s including indecent assault and gross indecency.

While sentencing him, the judge, Mr Justice Michael Turner, told Taylor: "At no stage has it crossed your mind what a terrible wrong you have committed not just to the victim but to her family, wrongs that were committed to satisfy your perverted lust.

"That family has not had opportunity to grieve.

"On a daily basis they are reminded of the evil you did to this wife and this mother.

"You showed her no mercy.

"Your protestations of sorrow or regret were shallow."