National Lottery winner, 53, denies faking a ticket to pocket an unclaimed £2.5million jackpot just before the six-month deadline
- Edward Putnam was arrested following a three year investigation into the ticket
- He was paid £2,525,485 in 2009 as the winner of the unclaimed ticket
- The winning numbers on March 11 that year were 6, 9, 20, 21, 31 and were on a ticket purchased in Worcester
Edward Putman (pictured) was seen leaving St Albans Magistrates’ Court earlier today where he is accused of fraud
A National Lottery winner has today denied faking a ticket to pocket an unclaimed £2.5million jackpot just before the six-month deadline.
Edward Putman was arrested following a three year investigation for allegedly faking a winning ticket in 2009.
The 53-year-old builder was paid £2,525,485 in 2009 as the winner of the unclaimed ticket after he contacted Camelot just before the six-month cut off.
The winning numbers on March 11 that year were 6, 9, 20, 21, 31 and 34 and were on a ticket bought in the Malvern or Worcester areas of Worcestershire.
Putman from Hertfordshire, pleaded not guilty to fraud when he appeared at St Albans Crown Court.
The charge alleges that on 1 September 2009 at Watford he dishonestly made a false representation, namely produced a fraudulent National Lottery ticket, intending to make a gain, namely £2,525,485 for himself.
Putman had used some of his winnings to buy this property in Kings Langley
It follows an investigation by Hertfordshire police’s serious fraud and cyber unit when they were presented with evidence alleging the claim was not genuine.
When the charge was put to him, Putman responded: ‘Not guilty, your honour.’
Judge Nigel Lithman QC said the trial would take place on 23 April. Mr Putman was granted bail.
Putman (pictured above) was arrested in 2015 but later released without charge
Putman used the winnings to buy two homes in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire – one for £600,000 and another for £400,000 – and had a fleet of around a dozen cars in the grounds.
Putnam had asked for ‘no publicity’ when he won the lottery nine years ago and is said to have only told a handful of friends.
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