THE Government has confirmed it is looking into offenders compensating their victims if they receive windfalls, following the £7m Lotto win by rapist Iorworth Hoare.

The move is being explored by the Home Office through consultation on the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill and comes after a backlash over Hoare's multi-million pound win.

The serial sex offender was on weekend release when he bought his Lotto Extra ticket at the South Bank Asda supermarket, near his bail hostel.

He could be free to spend all his winnings when he is released from prison as early as Christmas because there is no legislation to stop him.

Hoare was on weekend release at a bail hostel near his wife's, home when he bought the ticket.

Hoare's crimes include one rape, two attempted rapes and three indecent assaults. He was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in 1989 for attempting to rape a 60-year-old woman in a park in the city.

Access to his money is restricted while he is in jail, but, as he is now at the end of his sentence, a parole board meeting is expected to release him in time for Christmas.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "It is unpalatable such people should win the Lottery, that is why we are exploring through consultation on the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill the possibility of offenders compensating their victims should they receive a windfall after their conviction.

"We recognise we cannot act retrospectively in relation to this individual, but are working with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport looking at what we can do in relation to cases like this in the future."

There were reports at the weekend that one of the conditions of Hoare's release on licence will be that he must not leave Britain.

His wife, Irene, who lives at Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, intends to sue him for a share of his earnings, which she said she would pass on to Hoare's victims.