Cannot remove stubborn file from trash

I have a problem with a very stubborn item in the trash that will not be removed. This is a zero kb folder that when using different trash methods, often indicates input/output error. It slows the whole system whenever selected or otherwise being used e.g. for trashing etc...
I have tried:
empty trash
secure empty trash
force empty trash
Trash It! utility (from trash can and from desktop)
sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/<file_to_delete>
Nothing doing. I first noticed a problem when doing a routine repair permissions. This was very slow and finished up by listing a number input/output errors in image png files in an images folder inside a dictionary package (Oxford English.dictionary). I trashed the .dictionary package (and restored from an earlier Time Machine version which seems to work fine). However, I could not remove the offending package from trash. After all the above efforts I am left with just one empty folder; this was called 'images' but is now just a jumbled name of letters and numbers. Repair permissions no longer signals any input/output errors but is still slow to complete.
Any suggestions or help appreciated...
Thanks

You wrote...
sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/<file_to_delete>
Have you tried rebuilding the Trash itself? That usually blows away anthing...
At the prompt, copy and paste this command
sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash
Press Return.
You will be asked to enter your admin password. It will be invisible.
Enter it and press Return.
Log out and back in or restart.

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