A gambling addict who began defrauding people out of money after squandering a £164,000 EuroMillions win has been jailed.
Reece Casey scammed £34,000 from 25 victims by claiming he could get 40% discount from luxury clothing company Flannels. The 31-year-old left his victims out of pocket after defrauding them via Snapchat in June, last year.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Casey began an "entrenched lifestyle of gambling" after working off-shore. In 2018, Casey went on to win £54,000 from betting firm William Hill, before going on to pocket a £164,000 windfall a year later on the EuroMillions. But despite his wins, Casey "squandered" the thousands gambling after developing an addiction - it was then he took the decision to begin defrauding people.