A gambling addict began defrauding people out of money after squandering a £164,000 EuroMillions win.
Reece Casey scammed £34,000 from 25 victims - some of which were long-standing family friends - by claiming he could get 40% discount from luxury clothing company Flannels. The 31-year-old left his trusting victims out of pocket after defrauding them via Snapchat in June, last year.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that in 2018, Casey had won £54,000 from betting firm William Hill, before going on to pocket a massive £164,000 a year later on the EuroMillions. But despite his wins, Casey "squandered" the thousands gambling before taking the decision to begin defrauding people.
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Casey appeared at the court on Tuesday to be sentenced for fraud. He had pleaded guilty to the single charge at a previous hearing.
Katie Spence, prosecuting, said Casey defrauded 25 people in Sunderland out of a total of £34,000 after advertising on Snapchat that he could get a 40% reduction at Flannels as he had a friend who worked there. She said: "A friend of the defendant responded to the offer and ordered multiple items. He also ordered items for other friends and family." Ms Spence added that those who had been defrauded had sent their money to Casey.
The court heard that one woman sent over £4,500 to Casey, with another woman buying items using an inheritance she received from her mum who had passed away. Another woman lost money after buying items for her husband's birthday.
Kelly Sherif, defending, said Casey had shown "extreme remorse" and said he was unaware there were so many victims as he had only dealt with three personally. She said he had an "entrenched lifestyle of gambling", which he started when he was 15 years old. She said: "In 2018, he won £58,000 from William Hill and in 2019 won £164,000 on the EuroMillions, and he squandered that money on betting. At that time, he realised his gambling addiction was extremely bad and he put several blocks in place to exclude himself from gambling."
Ms Sherif told the court that despite barring himself from betting sites, he still managed to use a betting company via WhatsApp and began gambling again. She said that in August last year, he went into rehab for treatment and still remains there, before adding he has "no intention to return to this lifestyle and has no intention to get back to gambling".
Judge Stephen Earl adjourned sentencing until Friday, November 18 so more information could be provided to the court regarding the offences. Casey, of Maughan Street, Dudley, West Midlands, was granted bail until his sentencing.
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