National Lottery winner 58-year-old Iris Jeffrey (R) from north Belfast celebrates with her husband Robert, aged 62, in County Down, Northern Ireland, August 6, 2004. Iris, a cancer sufferer, was unveiled on Friday as the biggest single winner in the 10-year history of Britain's National Lottery, with a 20.1 million pound ($36.63 million) jackpot. PHOTO - REUTERS

LONDON - Home Secretary David Blunkett said on Thursday he wanted to ensure a convicted rapist who won 7 million pounds ($12.8 million) on Britain's national lottery should not get a penny of it while in prison. Iorworth Hoare was on weekend release from a low-security prison when he bought his winning ticket. Government officials admit he did nothing illegal. "We can't stop a prisoner or their family from buying a ticket but we can look closely at making sure they don't benefit from a single penny while in prison," Blunkett wrote in the Sun newspaper. "I will be talking to the Lottery Commission and Cabinet colleagues to see if we can find a way to stop this happening again," he said.

Hoare was nearing the end of a life sentence after being jailed in 1989 for attempted rape. He had previously served sentences for rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault.

But his celebrations were cut short when he when he was moved to another a higher-security prison for his own safety. Blunkett said legislation was already in train to recover compensation from criminals who land a financial windfall. He said he would look at directing a chunk of lottery winnings and the like into the Victims' Fund, which supports those who suffer serious crimes. His junior colleague, Home Office minister Hazel Blears admitted there was nothing to stop prisoners or their families buying lottery tickets. She suggested victims could consider seeking compensation through the civil courts. "Clearly this man is in possession of a great deal of money and I hope somebody somewhere is thinking about the possibility of civil proceedings for damages," Blears told BBC Radio.

Reuters