Michael Carroll (born on March 29, 1983), born in Swaffham, Norfolk, UK, is a former binman and £9.7 million[1] National Lottery winner. As a multi-millionaire, the self-proclaimed "king of chavs,"[2] known by the press as the "Lotto Lout," immediately bought four homes, a holiday villa in Spain, two convertible BMWs along with two Mercedes-Benz cars, several quad bikes, and a stake in a football club. Sources close to him claim that Carroll, who wears a large amount of gold jewellery and has been in constant trouble with the law for using drugs and committing other crimes, has spent "untold thousands" on substance abuse.[1]

In 2004, he was banned from driving for six months after being caught at the wheel of his new £49,000 BMW without L-plates and insurance.[3]

In 2005, Carroll participated in a celebrity boxing match where he was apparently defeated by Mark Smith, formerly a star of TV show Gladiators under the name Rhino, but the fight was officially declared a draw by the judges.[4]

Carroll proudly sports a tattoo of the Ulster Defence Association and, as a fan of Rangers F.C., invested up to a million pounds of his winnings in Rangers Financial Management, from whom the football club receive a share of profits on the financial services they sell.[5]

In February 2006, he was jailed for nine months for affray.[6] Carroll had reportedly spent almost his entire fortune within 18 months on extravagant houses, cars for demolition derby races in his back yard, and gold jewellery. Recently convicted of cocaine possession, it is claimed he has only 500,000 pounds left.[1]

Also in 2006, he was the subject of the documentary Michael Carroll: King of Chavs.

Shortly after getting released from prison at the end of June, 2006, Carroll took out a loan in order to keep his houses and maintain his "party lifestyle".[7] Reports say he is nearly broke, having spent his fortune on drugs, parties, jewellery, automobiles, and also on frivolous spending.[8]

Carroll is currently estranged from his wife Sandra Aitken and daughter Brooke, and is expecting a child with hair dresser girlfriend Gemma Peake.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c This is London, UK Lottery Winner Nearly Broke, retrieved 2007-05-21
  2. ^ Independent News and Media Limited, Who wants to be a millionaire?, retrieved 2007-05-21
  3. ^ Johnston Press Digital Publishing, Lotto winner ordered to do unpaid work, retrieved 2007-05-21
  4. ^ Mcgurran, Aidan, Lout gets thrashed in the ring, retrieved 2007-05-21
  5. ^ Thomas Crosbie Media, 'Lotto lout' invests in Gers, retrieved 2007-05-21
  6. ^ BBC News, Nine months for Lotto millionaire, retrieved 2007-05-21
  7. ^ Kelly, Tom, Lotto lout facing bankruptcy, retrieved 2007-05-21
  8. ^ BBC News, £9m lottery winner 'almost broke', retrieved 2007-05-21
  9. ^ "Lottery lout is chavin' a baby". The Sun. 15th October 2007. ((cite web)): Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessadte= ignored (help)
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