Devon CC has denied claims it ‘spruced-up' a grade two-listed property and sold it on to Lotto rapist, Iorworth Hoare. A council spokeswoman said: ‘There is no truth in recent press reports stating that Mr Hoare bought the freehold for Bradninch Hall from Devon CC. ‘The council has never owned the freehold, or been asked to refurbish parts of this building.' However, the council did admit it rented office space at Bradninch Hall for its education department through a settlement trust. The spokeswoman said: ‘When you rent office space through a trust, you don't normally know who the individual is who owns it. ‘Office space has been rented by the council in Bradninch Hall for some 20 years or more. However, a recent accommodation shake-up will see this arrangement coming to an end, and council staff are moving from this location, beginning in November.' Convicted rapist, Mr Hoare, is reported to have bought Bradninch Hall with the proceeds of his 2004 £7.2m Lottery win, through an investment fund run by his solicitor and accountant.