Security scare at Lottery rapist's mansion
Thursday, April 27, 2006 posted 11:11 AM EDT
The scare came just a month after reports that the released sex offender – who won a £7m National Lottery jackpot almost two years ago – received death threats demanding he move from his Newcastle upon Tyne home.
Hoare was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in 1989 and was an inmate at Shepton Mallett Prison until a year ago. His crimes included one rape, two attempted rapes and three indecent assaults.
In August 2004, while on weekend leave from Leyhill Open Prison in Gloucestershire, he bought the winning ticket in Middlesbrough.
Later he set up home in Darras Hall, a leafy suburb of Newcastle, a few streets away from footballer Alan Shearer.
It looked possible he might lose some of his winnings when one of his victims – a Leeds woman subjected to an attempted rape in Roundhay Park in 1988 – attempted to apply for compensation.
She lost her case at the Court of Appeal in mid-April but the Law Lords may look into changing the law, which allows a six-year period for victims to sue their attackers for damages.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said it was "considered appropriate" to send armed officers in response to the emergency call. She added: "It was very quickly established all was in order at the property and officers should be withdrawn."
She would not reveal the details of any security measures as a result of the call.
There was no answer at the huge property which is protected by electronic gates.
Police cars blocked both ends of the road, while armed officers stood by the front and rear gates of the house.
An elderly resident, who did not wish to be named, said he was "fed-up", adding: "It won't get back to normal until Hoare has gone."
Last month it was reported the Lottery winner was sent two bullets in the post and a threatening note warning him to "move or die". It said people living around his six-bedroom house wanted him to leave.
| Related Links | |
 |
Lottery News & Stories |
|
UK National Lottery Results |
|
Search Past UK National Lottery Winning Numbers |