A rape victim who was the first in the UK to waive her right to anonymity has died aged 51.
Vicar's daughter Jill Saward was 21 and a virgin when a knife-wielding gang broke into her Ealing vicarage home in 1986 and raped her. Her father and boyfriend, whom she was with at the time, were tied up and viciously beaten.
The 1986 attack, which came to be known as the Ealing Vicarage Rape, received widespread media attention. This continued at trial, during which the judge drew criticism when he said the trauma Ms Saward had suffered 'had not been so great'.
Mr Justice Leonard also provoked outrage when he handed rapists Martin McCall and Christopher Byrne shorter jail terms than gang leader Robert Horscroft, who was sentenced for burglary and assault and did not take part in the rape.
Ms Saward died this morning after suffering a brain haemorrhage. She is survived by Gavin Drake, her journalist husband of 23 years, and her three sons.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, described Ms Saward as a 'heroic and remarkable campaigner' in a heartfelt tweet today. Another supporter, Julie Bindel expressed the feelings of many when she said:
'You took the shame away from women who were raped'
Just a short tribute to a really remarkable and brave woman.
Please see full tribute >Please click here<
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