Rapist faces legal costs of pounds 200,000

A Cornish hotelier who yesterday lost his appeal against a rare civil court finding that he raped an employee now faces costs and damages estimated in excess of pounds 200,000. Three Court of Appeal judges dismissed the claim by Arthur Williams, 47, from Truro, that he was condemned on the evidence of his "bitter and angry" ex-wife and was not allowed to call a witness who could have cleared him.

The judges also refused to reconsider the county court jury's damages award of pounds 50,000 to his victim. Costs, which were awarded against him, were estimated by legal experts to be more than pounds 150,000.