OWEN OYSTON's defence against SIX rape allegations has cost him upwards of TWO MILLION POUNDS, we can reveal. It has proved to be the most costly defence against sex charges in the history of British justice. And even after that vast expense, most of it on lawyers, the 62-year-old Blackpool Football Club boss is today languishing in Walton Jail, Liverpool, and facing a six-year sentence. A source close to the family admitted last night: "Most newspapers have put the bill at over a million. It is going to be twice that. And the family haven't finished paying out yet."

Oyston's solicitor, Michael Burne, said outside the court immediately after the verdict that grounds for an appeal were being considered. That consideration didn't last long; the process is now well under way.

Most of the tabloids screamed at the top of their voices on the day after the trial. But comment in recent days has been more muted as more details of the background to the case have leaked out.

The Daily Mirror on Monday morning carried a two-page sympathetic spread in which Vicki Oyston said she had absolutely no qualms about sleeping in the four-poster bed in which the rape of the former East Lancs model, known as Miss B, was said to have taken place.

Mrs Oyston said the trauma of the long-running case had strengthened their marriage and, of course, she was standing by him.

Yesterday the satirical magazine Private Eye, not known for any love of Oyston and his business methods, took up the case with further surprise revelations. A lengthy editorial said: "He was originally charged with rape or indecent assault against no fewer than six young 'models'. Three of the cases were dismissed at the committal hearing when magistrates ruled that there was no case to answer. Two of the other cases, involving 'Miss A' and 'Miss C' went to trial but ended in acquittal. It was only thanks to the tear-jerking evidence of 'Miss B' that Inspector Knacker the police managed to get Oyston sent to prison."

The Private Eye piece concluded with a tape recording between Lord Blaker and private investigator Michael Murrin who had been named in court as two of the people alleged to have conspired against Oyston.

Murrin warned that Oyston might "try to do a runner" if things got too hot. "We want him here. We don't want him to do a Biggs Great Train robber Ronnie Biggs who fled to South America," says Murrin.

"Behind bars. that's right, absolutely." says the former Blackpool MP.

As a friend of the family said last night. "You haven't heard the end of the Oyston case. It will run and run."

Rumours that the Oyston "Life" magazines are up for sale can be discounted. They are in profit and there are no plans to sell them off.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.