Lotto rapist victim 'to win case'

Rapist Hoare bought the winning ticket while on day release

A victim of millionaire rapist Iorworth Hoare who is fighting to sue him for damages is "almost certain" to win, her lawyers say.

Representatives of the woman, known as Mrs A, said they were "very optimistic" the House of Lords would rule in favour of her appeal against Hoare.

Hoare, 53, was jailed for life in May 1989 for the attempted rape of Mrs A in Roundhay Park, Leeds.

He won £7m when he bought a lottery ticket while on day release from jail.

Hoare now lives in a £700,000 mansion in Ponteland, Northumberland.

'Pursuing justice'

Damian Crosse, a solicitor at DLA Piper, said: "We are very optimistic that after a long and often very uphill battle, Mrs A's claim against Iorworth Hoare will be allowed to continue because the House of Lords will find in favour of her appeal.

"The case before the House of Lords was notable because it dealt with an important matter of law which the Court of Appeal had previously indicated was both incoherent and seriously deficient."

In 2005, a High Court judge ruled that a compensation claim by Mrs A was outside the legal six-year limit. The Appeal Court upheld that decision.

The Law Lords will examine whether the six-year law is fair.

Mr Crosse said: "I have spoken to Mrs A this morning and she is 'ecstatic' at what she is so very close to achieving.

"She has always wanted to pursue justice for herself and others and she is relieved as well as very pleased that her efforts will almost certainly prove to be successful."

Mrs A was awarded £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after she was attacked by Hoare in 1988.

She was ordered to pay his legal fees after unsuccessful attempts to bring a case for compensation in the High Court and Court of Appeal.