Lotto rapist: I have to look over my shoulder every time I go outside

Thursday, November 09, 2006 posted 02:38 AM EST

WHINGING Lotto rapist Iorworth Hoare yesterday told a court what it is like to be Britain's most hated millionaire.

Hoare, who scooped £7.2million while in jail in August 2004, claims he has spent the entire time since his release "looking over his shoulder" in fear of a vigilante attack.

Speaking in public for the first time since he served 16 years, he complained that passing motorists slowed down to shout "beast" as they passed him in the street and strangers screamed abuse as he visited local shops.

He also claimed that an air pistol was fired at his £700,000 house, eggs and stones were thrown, smashing his windows, and his front gate was set alight. In total, police have recorded 23 "incidents" in 12 months Hoare, who is now known as Edward Thomas, told the court: "When I'm out I tend to look behind myself quite a lot because I'm nervous that somebody might come up behind me.

"So I tend to turn around quite a lot when I'm going for a walk or to the shop."

Hoare was giving evidence in the trial of market trader Peter Oates who is accused of sending him death threats through the post.

Appearing as a witness for the first time rather than the accused, Hoare, 53, denied reports that police spent £30,000 a week of taxpayers' money on protecting his house in a wealthy village near Newcastle.

He said he had to use his own cash on upgrading security.

He told Newcastle crown court: "I felt wary when I got the threats and I had to upgrade security on me house. The police advised me about it and came to see me at me house.

"The police did ask if I wanted to move but because me face had been all over the papers I could not see the point in moving again. As far as I know the police don't spend £30,000 a week protecting myself. Because of the Sex Offenders Act, the police come to see me, and I have to go to the Probation Service, but apart from that I have no contact with the police."

Hoare, of Darras Hall, gave an insight into what his life has been like since he was released from jail last year.

He said: "I seldom see the neighbours - they tend to keep themselves to themselves, and I don't speak to people unless I am spoken to.

"People shout at me sometimes when I go to the local shops or into the village.

"Two windows have been smashed, and one cracked.

"Journalists tend to camp out in the front street and follow me into town. Cars go past and people shout 'Beast' and other abuse."

Oates, 42, of Brixton, South London, denies two charges of making threats to kill in March this year. The case continues.

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