LONDON (AP) A British woman wants the man who tried to rape her to be held to account that is, his bank account. Now, a court says she can.

A judge has ruled the woman has the right to sue her attacker, a convicted serial rapist who became a millionaire by winning the lottery in 2004 while serving time. The judge says the 78-year-old victim, known only as "Mrs. A," can seek punitive damages for an attempted rape in 1989.

Iorworth Hoare (ee-oh-worth hohr) won 7 million pounds about 12 million dollars at the time after buying the lottery ticket while spending a few hours outside prison under supervision.

Mrs. A tried to sue Hoare when she learned about his winnings.

She was told at first the time limit for such a claim had run out.

But the judge accepted that at the time of the attack, the convict didn't have enough money to make a lawsuit worthwhile. Now he does.

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