British 'Lotto rapist' victim wins right to sue

She had to go to the very top of the legal sysatem to get justice

A woman whose life was ruined by "Lotto rapist" Iorworth Hoare said she was "delighted and relieved" as she won a landmark court victory which opens the door for thousands of other sex assault victims to sue their attackers for compensation.

Victims have until now only been allowed to bring a claim within six years of the attack or, in cases of child abuse, within six years of reaching the age of 18.

But Hoare's victim, a retired teacher identified only as Mrs A, asked five Law Lords at a hearing in November last year to correct the law, allowing her to claim compensation from Hoare who went on to win o7 million on the National Lottery many years after he brutally assaulted her.

Following her victory today 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.

"Partaking in a lengthy legal process has not been easy for me, but the unwavering support of my family and close friends gave me the strength I needed to carry on and achieve this fantastic success. "I hope that my claim for damages against Iorworth Hoare will now be brought to a speedy resolution without the need for me to endure further protracted litigation and I hope that many others in the future will be able to benefit from the change in the law which I helped to bring about."

Mrs A's case was one of five appeals heard at the House of Lords on how the Limitation Act affects claims in abuse cases. The Law Lords ruled that courts should have the discretion to extend the period to permit older claims whereas now the six-year bar is absolutely fixed.

Lawyers expect a huge increase in claims from sex attack victims who will be able to take action many years after the alleged abuse.

Mrs A received just 5,000 pounds from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after the brutal attack by Hoare 20 years ago. She was then ordered to pay Hoare's 100,000 pound legal fees after unsuccessful attempts to bring a case for compensation in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

She was 59 when Hoare - who had previously subjected six other women to serious sexual assaults, including rape - attacked her as she walked in Roundhay Park, Leeds, in February 1988. 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 7 million pounds 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 now lives in a 700,000 pounds mansion near Newcastle.

Report here






THREE crooked top cops in the Australian State of Victoria

A DISGRACED former policeman, a suspended police union boss and Victoria Police's former media director all face possible criminal charges after a damning report to the state Parliament today. Charges of making a false or misleading statement and perjury have been recommended against former assistant commissioner Noel Ashby, Police Association secretary Paul Mullett and former Victoria Police media director Stephen Linnell. A further charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice has also been recommended against Senior Sergeant Mullett. The charges are recommended in the report by Victoria's Office of Police Integrity (OPI), tabled in parliament today.

They follow an OPI public inquiry last November which heard secret telephone intercepts alleging Mr Linnell improperly passed information about the investigation into an underworld murder in 2002, in which a crime squad detective was a suspect. It was alleged at the hearings Mr Linnell passed the information on to Mr Ashby, who in turn told Sen Sgt Mullett, who then told Police Association president Brian Rix. The target of the investigation was eventually informed, it was alleged.

Sen Sgt Mullett was suspended from the force and both Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell resigned their positions as the inquiry unfolded. According to the OPI report, Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell distributed sensitive information to advance their standing in the police force. "Both Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell knew the value of information," it says. "The strategic leaking of it gave them both currency with which to advance their personal ambitions."

The report says the spectacular nosedive of the careers of Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell should serve as a warning for other police. "The public should take comfort from the fact that aside from those named in this report, no other current Victoria Police employee appears to have been caught up in Mr Ashby's drive for power," it says. "However the thwarting of Mr Ashby's ambitions and the demise of his and Mr Linnell's careers should serve as a salutary lesson for others who may be tempted to ignore the responsibilities that accompany police office."

In tabling the report today, the Director of Police Integrity, George Brouwer, said the departures of Mr Linnell and Mr Ashby made it a better organisation. "Notwithstanding the deeply concerning matters revealed in this investigation, the corrupting influences were contained to a few individuals," Mr Brouwer wrote. "The resignations of Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell, in particular, should have a cleansing effect on Victoria Police command. "Without their behind-the-scenes manoeuvering, Victoria Police command, led by Chief Commissioner Nixon, is now in a better position to progress its strategic reform agenda."

Comment was not immediately available from the Police Association, or from Mr Ashby's legal team. Mr Linnell's lawyer, barrister Martin Grinberg, said he was yet to read the report or speak to his client.

Report here (Via Australian Politics)



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