In a shocking turn of events, a convicted rapist in Ireland has won €8m in the lottery while on day release from prison. The man, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, is said to now have full access to the fortune. This has sparked widespread outrage and calls for the lottery to be revoked, with many questioning how a violent criminal was allowed to participate in a game of chance while behind bars. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the story of the man who won the lottery while on day release from prison, and explore the legal and ethical complexities surrounding his newfound fortune.
A 70-year-old convicted rapist named Iorworth Hoare has been granted full access to his €8.1m lottery jackpot winnings after a 15-year legal battle. Hoare purchased the winning Lotto Extra ticket during weekend leave from Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire back in August 2004. However, he had been receiving a monthly allowance of £8,666 (€9,800) following his release on licence in 2005 due to the conditions of his release.
Hoare had been serving a life sentence for rape after his attack on teacher Shirley Woodsman in 1989. Woodsman successfully sued Hoare for compensation following his lottery win, resulting in him having to pay £50,000 in damages as well as £800,000 in legal costs. Her legal battle blazed a trail, allowing other victims of sexual abuse, including those of Jimmy Saville, to claim compensation.
Hoare had six previous convictions for rape and other sex offences dating back to 1973 when he was convicted of the attempted rape of Woodsman. After a lengthy legal battle that began in 2008, Hoare has now been granted full access to his winnings, including any interest accrued during his time in prison. The trustees who have overseen Hoare’s winnings have included a Home Office official, his lawyer, and his accountant.
Despite the efforts to stop Hoare from accessing his winnings, a Home Office source told the Mirror that “in the end,” there was “nothing legally” that could be done. However, the victim’s family has pleaded for Hoare to donate his winnings to charity. After learning that Hoare now has full access to his £7.2m jackpot, Woodman’s daughter Shelley Wolfson (67), has stated that “She gave all the money away to charity and it’s what he should be doing with his money. He can do good with that money, like my mum did.”
Hoare is not the first criminal to win a lottery jackpot. Jonathan Vargas, who was convicted of drug possession, won $35m in a Powerball draw, whilst Karma Guy (a pseudonym) won £250,000 in a EuroMillions draw shortly after being convicted for a drug offence. Earlier this year, six U.S. states (North Dakota, Wyoming, Alabama, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Utah) proposed bills that would prohibit anyone with a certain criminal conviction from cashing in lottery winnings.
In conclusion, this case has stimulated debate on whether convicted criminals should be allowed to reap the benefits of their lottery winnings. Regardless of the outcome, Hoare’s case should prompt a broader discussion around how to reform the system and protect victims from financial harm.
