In brief
A pensioner who was raped by Lotto winner Iorworth Hoare 20 years ago has won the right to sue him for a share of his £7.2m winnings. Former teacher, Mrs A, did not sue Hoare at the time of the rape because he was broke. The High Court and the Court of Appeal threw out her bid for compensation made after Hoare hit the jackpot in 2004 because her civil suit was outside the limitation period. However, the House of Lords referred the case back to the High Court which has now affirmed that Mrs A can claim compensation. Mr Justice Coulson said the factors supporting Mrs A’s case were “more numerous and of significantly greater weight” than those offered by Hoare’s lawyers. A hearing will now be set to assess the level of damages Mrs A receives.
