Merlyn Nuttall wins 1998 Cosmopolitan/House of Fraser Achievement Awards

Brave heart: Merlyn Nuttall, who was yesterday named the winner of the 1998 Cosmopolitan/House of Fraser Achievement Awards.

Ms Nuttall was chosen for her courage in overcoming a horrific attack six years ago - when was she raped, strangled, set alight and left for dead in a derelict house in south London - and for her contribution to Victim Support, the organisation which nominated her.

Her tenacity and determination helped police to convict her attacker, who was later jailed for 33 years

Photograph: Nicola Kurtz