OWEN OYSTON will next week give evidence before a High Court judge deciding whether he raped an East Lancashire fashion model seven years ago. The 23-year-old has been given Legal Aid to sue the tycoon and owner of Blackpool Football Club, for civil damages after being raped and indecently assaulted by Oyston in a car and in a three-in-a-bed sex session at Oyston's home at Claughton Hall.

Both Oyston (pictured) and the woman, who can only be named as "Miss B" or "J", will give evidence at the hearing to be held at the the High Court at Birmingham.

The judge will also hear evidence from ex-model Lysa Rubotham, who was disbelieved when she told the jury at Oyston's trial in 1996 that no sex took place in the car or the bed at Claughton Hall that night. Miss Rubotham has since joined the MP Dale Campbell-Savours in submitting a complaint to the Criminal Cases Review Commission about Oyston's trial. Oyston, who was 65 in January, with a fortune estimated at £100 million, is now in Wealstun Prison, Yorks. He lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence last year.

In a House of Commons speech last month, Labour MP Dale Campbell-Savours warned Home Secretary Jack Straw that even though eligible for parole in May, Oyston is prepared to stay in prison just to prove his innocence.

The MP has also revealed that police who charged Oyston with rape four years ago have been instructed to preserve "all materials in their possession relating to the case", pending a review of their investigation by the CCRC.

The MP told the Home Secretary, "Mr Oyston has refused to concede any element of guilt in in this case, even though, if he did, he might secure early parole."

In a letter to the MP, Sir Frederick Crawford, chairman of the CCRC, said Oyston's case might now qualify for special investigation: "Priority ranking for review is influenced by such factors as whether or not the applicant is in prison, and by the health and ages of applicants and witnesses."

The High Court civil compensation case, in which the rape complainant is represented by Blackburn-based solicitors Forbes and Partners, is expected to last 10 days and hear evidence from several ex-models of Manchester's Model Team International agency.

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