A mother who fought for nine years to prove she was raped by a bouncer in her bedroom just yards from her sleeping children finally feels vindicated after a court ruled she deserves £10,000 compensation.

Anita Grinham, 43, told officers she was sexually assaulted in her own home by a man who had spiked her drink in an Ipswich nightclub in 2008.

But she says the detectives did not take her allegations seriously and sided with her attacker, who was arrested but never prosecuted due to lack of forensic evidence.

Vindicated: A court has ruled that Anita Grinham, 43, was sexually assaulted in her own home by a man who had spiked her drink in an Ipswich nightclub in 2008

A burning sense of intense anger and pure rage drove the brave mother-of-four to seek official acknowledgement that she had been raped by making a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Yesterday an appeal tribunal in London upheld an earlier court ruling which stated that she was probably attacked and deserves a payout.

Ms Grinham said the compensation was 'not a lot' and would be given to her boys.

The mother, who lives near Ipswich, Suffolk, says she was raped by a bouncer who spiked her drink when she went to the toilet and drove her home to attack her.

She reported the nightmare assault to police five weeks later but the investigation got nowhere.

Suffolk Police has admitted that the force's probe into the rape was 'inadequate' after an internal inquiry found key witnesses were not interviewed and the suspect’s house and car were left unsearched.

Speaking after winning her epic desperate fight for justice, Ms Grinham said last night: 'I've had to go to hell and back to prove I was right.

'I got angry and that's probably my saving grace. I thought 'I'm not having this. If I know I'm right, I'm right. I will stand up for what I believe.

'This has got nothing to do with money. It's that I have been raped.'

My whole life has changed. I went from being bubbly and outgoing to being paranoid and scared

She insisted: 'I'm really angry because I've been abused in my own home and I feel no one has ever taken it seriously. I don't think I'm ever going to get over this for the rest of my life. I'm absolutely fuming.'

Ms Grinham, who's bravely waived her right to anonymity, said her whole life and her health have been shattered since the horrific attack that still haunts her every day.

'I suffer insomnia and panic attacks,' said the businesswoman who opened a beauty salon. 'I went from being bubbly and outgoing to being paranoid and scared.'

Ms Grinham said she rages when she sees her attacker - who the appeal tribunal said has been charged in the past with indecent assault as well as other offences - brazenly walking around Ipswich free as a bird.

'Shame on him,' she snapped. 'Shame on the police. I want him to know while he is walking around I have not forgotten.'

Ms Grinham said last night: 'I've had to go to hell and back to prove I was right'

The tribunal panel judgment decided that it was probable Ms Grinham was the victim of a crime of sexual violence.

The ruling stated: 'The Appellant had sexual intercourse in her bedroom in circumstances in which she did not in fact consent and was incapable of giving consent by reason of intoxication or having had her drink 'spiked' earlier by her assailant.

'The appellant's account of finding her assailant in the act of intercourse with her was consistent throughout.'

It also stated Ms Grinham's attacker had been charged previously with indecent assault, assault, common assault, and other offences.

The ruling continued: 'The appellant's demeanour after the event was suggestive of a traumatic incident.'

It added the lengths Ms Grinham had gone to were 'highly suggestive of an assault rather than a regret over a retrospectively unwise sexual encounter'.

Ms Grinham was attacked after a night out with friends in Ipswich in July 2008 to celebrate the opening of her beauty salon.

She was driving so bought only one glass of wine, which she asked a doorman to look after while she went to the toilet.

Reliving her worst nightmare, traumatised Ms Grinham said in 2012: 'I know exactly what happened to me, I was violated in the most horrendous way.

'Someone raped me and no one's been punished. But I was made to feel like a liar.

'My whole life has changed. I went from being bubbly and outgoing to being paranoid and scared. I lost my business.

'I suffer from panic attacks, depression and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.'

She added: 'Sorry is not good enough. My life stopped when I was raped. I have spent all my time since then trying to get justice.

'I just hope what I have been through helps change things for other victims.'

Suffolk Police has admitted that the force's probe into the rape was 'inadequate' after an internal inquiry found key witnesses were not interviewed. Pictured: Suffolk police HQ

Suffolk Police spokeswoman Anne-Marie Breach said: 'The original investigation into Ms Grinham's complaint recognised that the standard of investigation into her criminal allegation was inadequate, and that the service provided was not up to the requisite standard.

'While no misconduct was identified, the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) made recommendations including that advice be given to investigator's supervisors, which was carried out in 2012.

'A formal apology was also made in writing at this time. Suffolk Constabulary treats the investigation of rape and other serious sexual offences as one of its priorities and has continued to build on the changes that took place after 2008.'

She added: 'The specialist rape investigation teams remain in place and there has been significant investment by the constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner in increasing the numbers of investigators in these teams.

This has got nothing to do with money. It's that I have been raped

A CICA spokeswoman said: 'We deeply sympathise with all victims of crime, but cannot comment on individual cases.

'Compensation can be paid without an offender being caught or convicted, and we closely assess each case using all available evidence.

Applicants can apply for a review if they feel their case was not fairly assessed, bringing it to a tribunal if necessary.'

'The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) now provides a high quality service to both adult and child victims of these offences.

'It combines much better medical facilities with enhanced victim support provision through the use of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

'They are able to support and guide victims following a rape and help them through the Criminal Justice process if required.'

Jane Basham, director of Suffolk Rape Crisis, said: 'We need to get to a place where women and girls feel confident to come forward and feel confident they will be believed.

'The reality is that the impact of sexual violence lasts a lifetime. This idea of being believed is so important.'