Lotto Rapist Victim Announces Identity after MBE Award

A woman who fought for compensation from a serial rapist when he won £7.2 million on the lottery has waived her anonymity after she was awarded an MBE.

Shirley Woodman, previously known as Mrs A, has spoken out about her long battle to receive her landmark settlement from Iorworth Hoare in 2009.

The retired teacher, 82, who was attacked by Hoare at Roundhay Park in Leeds in 1988, was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list for services to the community in Yorkshire.

Hoare was jailed for life the year after the attempted rape, but bought a Lotto Extra ticket while on day release in 2004 and won £7.2m.

After hearing about his winnings, Woodman attempted to sue Hoare but he contested the claim using the law of limitations - where victims of sex attacks must make their claims within six years.

However, after four years and hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal costs, Woodman won the ground-breaking ruling form the Law Lords, which gave courts the discretion to extend the time limit in cases of serious assault.

She was awarded compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Hoare in 2009. All the money Woodman received as part of her compensation was given to charity.

Hoare had previous convictions for rape, two attempted rapes and three indecent assaults when he attacked Mrs Woodman.

"It was a fantastic struggle. It was a long and traumatic one and it was very hard at times," Woodman told the BBC after lifting her anonymity.

"There were days when I became despondent and a little depressed. But when we heard the decision from the Lords, there was jubilation.

"I don't mind now being identified as the Mrs A who took my assailant to court and changed the law," she said.

Woodman was nominated by her daughter Shelley Wolfson to receive an MBE. Wolfson described her mother as "a woman of dignity, a woman of strength".

"She fought the law of the land and she won," Wolfson told the BBC.