Rape victim to claim damages from tycoon JAILED businessman Owen Oyston is facing another High Court hearing. The girl whom he was found guilty of raping at his mansion near Lancaster has issued a writ for damages for personal injury and other losses arising from the rape and also alleged false imprisonment. There is no limit to the amount of damages that could be awarded if she is successful in the action.

Oyston, chairman of Blackpool Football Club, and worth a reputed £40 million, largely from the sale of his chain of estate agencies, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of raping the girl when she was 16. She is now 20. He had been found not guilty of raping two other girls.

Oyston, who is serving his sentence at Wymott jail, Leyland, maintained his innocence throughout the trial and his wife Vicky has staunchly supported him in several interviews in the national Press and on television. An appeal is being prepared by his legal advisors and Mrs Oyston says: "We are confident we are going to win." She expressed surprise at the girl's claim for financial damages. Miss B, as the rape victim was known in court, lodged the writ at a district registry near her East Lancashire home. The claim is for "damages for personal injury and other consequential losses arising as a result of the defendant's physical and sexual assault and false imprisonment." The next step will be to file a "statement of claim" setting out the details in full. It could take several months to come to court.

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