Rapist who won £7.2 million on day release from prison granted full access to funds after 15-year legal battle

A convicted rapist who hit a £7.2million lottery jackpot, while on day release from prison, has been granted full access to his winnings following a 15-year-old legal battle.

70-year-old Iorworth Hoare, bought the winning Lotto Extra ticket in August 2004, during his permitted weekend leave from Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire.

He was handed out a life sentence for rape in 1989 for an attack on teacher, Shirley Woodsman.

The victim's family are now pleading for Hoare to donate his winnings to charity following Woodsman's death last year at the age of 92.

Hoare hadn't originally been granted access to his full lottery winnings under conditions stipulated as part of his 2005 release from prison.

LBC / Alamy

Following his time on licence, it's believed Hoare was paid a monthly allowance of £8,666.

It's also come to light that Woodsman wasn't Hoare's first victim. He had six previous rape and other sex-offence convictions, which date back to 1973.

After a lengthy legal battle, which began in 2008, the convicted rapist has been allowed to access the entirety of this jackpot.

He was previously only being allowed to touch the winnings with the consent of the fund's trustees, consisting of a Home Office official, Hoare's accountant, and his lawyer.

As well as the original funds won, Hoare will also have access to any interest accrued during his incarceration.

Hoare attempted to rape a then 59-year-old Woodsman as she walked through Roundhay Park in Leeds in 1988.

Previously, simply known as Mrs A during the trial to protect her anonymity, she waived her right to remain nameless in 2012, as she accepted an MBE.

Terry Waller / Alamy Stock Photo

Woodsman sued Hoare for compensation when she found out about his windfall, with Hoare forced to pay £50,000 in damages and £800,000 in legal costs.

She told the BBC at the time: "It was a fantastic struggle. It was a long and traumatic one and it was very hard at times."

This groundbreaking legal battle set the bar for other victims of sexual abuse, including the victims of Jimmy Savile, allowing them to claim compensation from their aggressors.

A Home Office source told the Mirror that, 'in the end', there was 'nothing legally' that could be done to stop Hoare accessing the money.

Twitter users have spoken out in disgust on the ruling with one person saying: "Should be paid to the victim."

Another said: "The bigger question is, how was someone with multiple convictions for rape ever allowed out of prison?"

Others tried to see both sides: "So unfair but the money isn’t the proceeds of a crime so legally he is entitled to it."