THE man known as the ‘Lotto Rapist’ has been found guilty of resisting arrest.

On Tuesday, South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court was told that Iowarth Hoare (64), now known as Edward Thomas, shouted 'I'm a multi-millionaire, I'm not going anywhere' when officers arrived at his home in Broomley, near Stocksfield.

Four police officers from Hexham arrested Thomas on May 3 this year, on suspicion of indecent exposure following an incident in Healey on April 26.

He was later acquitted of the charge at Newcastle Crown Court.

On the day in question, PC Samantha Maughan was the arresting officer.

Giving evidence in court at Bedlington, she said: "I explained the reason why I was there and that I needed to speak to him in relation to an exposure and his words were ‘I’m a multi-millionaire, I'm not going anywhere’.

"I said we needed to speak to him under caution at the police station and he started to go towards the telephone in the corner of the room, stamping around saying 'I'm not going anywhere I want a solicitor; I want a solicitor.'"

The court heard that after Thomas made attempts to reach the telephone, PC Maughan handcuffed him, but only managed to get one cuff on.

A struggle then ensued, and PC David Michael Chadwick and PC Robert McGurk tussled with the defendant to get the second handcuff on his wrist.

Thomas told the court that he wanted to call his solicitor and called the police officers 'heavy handed' in their approach.

He said: "The impression I get is they're a bit jealous because I have won the lottery and I am very rich."

However, magistrates’ chairman Richard Smith found Thomas guilty of resisting or obstructing an officer in the execution of their duty.

Thomas, who has been in custody since his arrest, was sentenced to one day's detention which he had served in court and was ordered to pay £650 prosecution costs.

When he was known as Iowarth Hoare, he was convicted of attempted rape in 1989. He hit the headlines in 2004 after winning £7.2m on the lottery while on weekend leave from prison. He was released in 2005 but remained on life licence.