UK Woman Receives Unusual Settlement From Sex Offender's Lottery Jackpot

Back in January a sex offender won an Alaska lottery held to raise money for victims of sexual abuse. The citizens of Alaska were justifiably outraged and one man even assaulted the $500,000 winner with a pipe sending him to the hospital. A recent case in the UK reveals an astounding set of similar circumstances. Serial rapist Iorworth Hoare, 53, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989 for an attempted attack on a 59 year old woman in Leeds.

In 2004 Mr. Hoare bought a lottery ticket while out on day release from Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire and won a £7 million pound ($10,105,030 USD) lottery jackpot. The win enabled Mr. Hoare to purchase a £700,000 ($1,011,071 USD) mansion in Ponteland, Northumberland.

When one of his victims Mrs. A heard of the lottery win she sued him for damages saying her life has been overshadowed by the vicious attack. In an astounding display of a lack of remorse Mr. Hoare argues that victims of sex attacks must make claims within six years. At the time of the attack Mrs. A had been advised that a lawsuit would be futile because of his lack of funds.

Mrs. A won a victory which could clear the way for other victims to file lawsuits. Mrs. A's solicitors stated that an out of court settlement had been reached and the results would remain confidential. It is always heartening to read about a deserving person winning the vast riches that a lottery win can provide. It is equally disheartening to read about a criminal with no remorse winning a large lottery jackpot. Since the settlement was confidential one can only hope that Mrs. A received the lions share of Mr. Hoare's ill gotten wealth.

In the United States South Carolina and several other states routinely check lottery winners against law enforcement databases for warrants, unpaid fines and back child support. If a lottery winner in those states is a convicted sex offender that would be known to lottery officials immediately. Some US states are also considering the sale of online lottery tickets. Players could log on to lottery websites, establish an account and purchase lottery tickets using a credit card, debit card or ewallet service.

The sale of online lottery tickets could allow lottery officials to notify victims of sex crimes so they can seek financial redress against their victimizers. Congratulations to Mrs. A on her legal victory.