Hoare much??

The case, yet again in the national press today, of Iorworth Hoare is beginning to seriously stick in my craw!

Hoare, dubbed the 'lotto rapist' when he won £7 million on the lottery earlier this year whilst on temporary release from a life sentence for rape, and who has a string of convictions for serious sex offences dating back to the 1970's, seems to have way more luck than most of us could ever hope for.

Having been released on licence subsequent to having served his sentence, and with his £7 million safely tucked in the bank, he appears now to be having the time of his life swanning around the North East (specifically Sunderland, though that is reported in 'The Sun' and consequently cannot be taken as gospel) buying antiques, fine art and various other expensive artifacts. As if this is not enough it would appear that to protect him from attack from vigilantes, shield him from various women's groups and to allow him to lead as normal' a life as possible we, the taxpayer, are footing a bill that will ultimately run into hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds.

As a rule I agree with second chances, though this man has had more than his fair share of those and I disagree quite strongly with 'outing' and vigilante action (though I can understand why others agree with both) but what I fail to understand is why, when Hoare has such a sum sitting in his bank account, we are having to cover the cost of protecting him.

The UK has one of the best judicial systems in the world and along with it a social security support system that is apparently so attractive that people flock from the world over to live here, though it often seems to benefit those individuals that are adept at 'working the system' more than it does those in genuine need.

If we accept that if we are to adhere to the terms of our social structures and our current laws Hoare had to be released, if we accept (which we may or may not) that he may need a new identity, that he might be well advised to make the most of relocation and a new identity and perhaps he even requires help re-integrating into society then we accept qalso that he needs protection but what I utterly fail to accept or understand is how a man, who let's face it is in a situation of his own making and who is richer than almost all of us will ever be, has all this protection paid for by the state! Not a penny has it cost him so far and on current form nor will it in the future!

I cannot argue here the points such as whether he should have been released at all or whether he should have all this protection at his disposal, those argumentsts are far too complicated and multi faceted for me to even begin to dissect but I can argue however, that it is absolutely ludicrous that the taxpayer is picking up the tab for this man's protection.

Presumably the provision of these services is not means tested and even if it were Hoare's situation would be a very rare situation anyway but hells bells, can our government not look at this case individually and do something to force Hoare to at least contribute something?

One thing is for sure, if he were a pensioner who had worked hard all his life, paid his dues and never so much as got a speeding ticket, but who required protection from gangs of youths roaming his council estate at night causing terror and mayhem he wouldn't get it!

Come on Mr Clarke, pull your finger out.