Jailed British rapist wins $17M in lottery
Last Updated Thu, 12 Aug 2004 09:28:19 EDT
LONDON - A jailed rapist's lottery windfall has the British government looking for ways to keep felons from reaping such rewards while behind bars.
Iorworth Hoare, who is serving a life term for the most recent of a series of attacks on women, won the equivalent of about $17 million in Britain's national lottery.
British Home Secretary David Blunkett said on Thursday that proposed legislation would require convicts in Hoare's situation, or who are otherwise wealthy, to contribute to a compensation fund for victims of crime.
Hoare has been in prison since 1989 for trying to rape a 60-year-old woman in a park. He had served a series of jail terms beginning in 1973 for a number of sex attacks.
The 51-year-old had been considered a low-security detainee, and was on day release from his low-security prison when he won the lottery.
Now that he has money, authorities have moved him to a high-security prison and refused him leave. Prison officials said it was for his safety.
The rapist's good fortune has angered many, and raises the possibility that his victims could sue him for a piece of his prize.
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