Michael Carroll (born on March 29, 1983) 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 Carroll has also spent "untold thousands" on alcohol and drugs, wears a very large amount of gold jewellery, and has been in constant trouble with the law due to the drugs and other crimes.[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 or 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 eighteen months on extravagant houses, cars for demolition derby races in his back yard, and gold "bling" jewellery. Recently convicted of cocaine possession, it is claimed he has only half a million pounds left.[1] Also in 2006 he was the subject of a documentary called Michael Carroll: King of Chavs, in which he was interviewed by Keith Allen. Shortly after getting released from prison at the end of June, 2006, Carroll was forced to take out a loan in order to keep his houses and maintain his lavish "party" lifestyle.[7] Reports say he is nearly broke, and completely blew his fortune on drugs, parties, jewellery, automobiles, and frivolous spending.[8]
References
- ^ a b c This is London, UK Lottery Winner Nearly Broke, <http://www.lotterypost.com/news-87238.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ Independent News and Media Limited, Who wants to be a millionaire?, <http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1903109.ece>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ Johnston Press Digital Publishing, Lotto winner ordered to do unpaid work, <http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=991&ArticleID=506145>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ Mcgurran, Aidan, LOUT GETS THRASHED IN THE RING, <http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15595422&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=lout-gets-thrashed-in-the-ring-name_page.html>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ Thomas Crosbie Media, 'Lotto lout' invests in Gers, <http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2003/10/06/story116240.asp>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ BBC News, Nine months for Lotto millionaire, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/4699870.stm>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ Kelly, Tom, Lotto lout facing bankruptcy, <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=395562&in_page_id=1770>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
- ^ BBC News, £9m lottery winner 'almost broke', <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/5177682.stm>. Retrieved on 2007-05-21
