Don't you just hate it when this happens?

[Illinoisblue]

A man serving a life sentence for attempted rape has won ?7m on the National Lottery.

Iorworth Hoare, 52, was on release from Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire when he bought his winning ticket for Saturday's Lotto Extra draw.

He is understood to have been staying at a bail hostel in Middlesbrough.

Hoare, who has a history of previous sex crimes, including rape, was one of three winners to share Saturday's ?21m Lotto Extra jackpot.

Under Home Office guidelines, prisoners on temporary release from jail are allowed to play the lottery and can claim a winning prize.

But the government department also said the prisoner's access to the money would be restricted while he was in custody.

Tory leader Michael Howard said there seemed to be "something very odd in the arrangements" that allowed prisoners to play the lottery.

"Prisoners are not allowed to do the football pools, they are not allowed to buy premium bonds but they are allowed to buy lottery tickets. That doesn't seem to make sense," Mr Howard said.

Hoare, originally from Leeds, is nearing the end of his life sentence after being jailed in 1989 for attempted rape.

Experts believe that Hoare could now be forced to pay compensation to his victims.

Dr Ian Edwards, lecturer in criminal law at the University of East Anglia, says victims are entitled to sue for any loss or harm they have suffered from their attacker.

He said: "The question usually is whether it's worth suing, because an offender may not have any money.

"I have heard of cases where victims of sex attackers have successfully sued their attacker."

But Dr Edwards, who specialises in victims' rights, said he had never heard of a case where an offender has suddenly become very wealthy.

[steve56]

yes i took a bus ride to shepherds bush today and that was spread all over the headlines.

[MegaTon]

Yeah it sucks!

They should confiscate he's money!

[IdolDroog]

I agree they should but its a bit difficult after the event has already taken place.....i wouldnt worry, everyones seen his face and know what hes done...combine that with the money i cant see him lasting for very long.

[MensWorldMayfair]

With any luck, his victims will be able to get legal aid to sue him!

[mart]

Why was your bus ride to Shepherds Bush spread all over the headlines?

Mart

[IdolDroog]

lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ah he not only walks into it every time, he jumps feet together head first

[Rude Boy]

Call me a spoil-sport but what bugs me about the lottery is that some piss-idle twat, or in this case a convicted rapist, can win shit-loads of money and not pay a penny in tax. If you work hard and earn a few quid the wanky government hit you for 40%. Now if a lottery win isn't a "Capital Gain" I don't know what is!

[MensWorldMayfair]

I'm biting my tongue here, Rude Boy, because you're beginning to sound hard done by. I think there are a few forumites who'd love to be in the 40% tax bracket!

[Rude Boy]

Perhaps so BUT why should a worker pay 40% tax and a person WINNING money not pay any tax at all?