Leeds victim of Lotto rapist Iorworth Hoare speaks out

Shirley Woodman, 82, who was previously known only as Mrs A, last night spoke about her battle to receive a landmark settlement from Hoare in 2009.

She was made an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to the community in Yorkshire.

The retired teacher was attacked by Hoare in 1988 in Roundhay Park in Leeds.

He was jailed for life the following year for attempted rape but scooped £7.2m in 2004 when he bought a Lotto Extra ticket while on day release.

Mrs Woodman sued Hoare for damages when she heard of his win but he contested the claim, arguing that victims of sex attacks must make their claims within six years.

But in 2008, Mrs Woodman won a groundbreaking ruling from the Law Lords that, in cases of serious assault, courts would have the discretion to extend that time limit.

She was later awarded compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Hoare, who had previous convictions for rape, two other attempted rapes and three indecent assaults when he attacked Mrs Woodman.

Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Woodman said she was “horrified and terrified” when she heard of Hoare’s Lotto win and said she feared he would come to find her to get revenge.

She said she felt Hoare’s Lotto win was “unjust” and wanted him to pay damages for the psychological injuries she suffered as a result of the attack.

Mrs Woodman said she had given all her compensation money to charity and now felt “composed”.

She said: “I don’t mind now being identified as the Mrs A who took my assailant to court and changed the law.”

Mrs Woodman added that she was “very proud” to receive an MBE after being nominated by her daughter, Shelley Wolfson.

Ms Wolfson said her mother was “a woman of dignity, a woman of strength”.