£2.7m Lotto winner has just £130k left

Lottery winner Anthony Robinson has just £130,000 left from the £2.7 million fortune he collected after hitting the jackpot 15 years ago, he confessed to a jury.

The former labourer from South Staffordshire also revealed his estranged 42-year-old wife Tracy Sinclair-Robinson has only £140,000 left after the family ran up substantial credit cards debts following the win.

Stafford Crown Court has heard how the couple, who are now divorcing, and their three children ran up thecredit card debts while buying a string of expensive cars, including a special edition Jaguar XKR and Porsche 911, and enjoying luxury holidays.

Savings were repeatedly used to make ends meet as the family continued to live beyond its means, despite warnings from a financial adviser that the lottery winnings were running out, the jury was told.

Three mortgages were taken out on their £750,000 home in Great Moor Road, Pattingham, after it had been bought for cash.

"There is still an outstanding mortgage and I do not think there is any equity left in the property," admitted Mr Robinson while giving evidence yesterday in the trial of his wife.

Each mortgage was used to pay off its predecessor but was always for more money, with the balance paying off spiralling credit cards bills, the court heard.

Mr Robinson claimed his wife forged his signature on documents for the second of the mortgages without his knowledge and insisted it was taken out behind his back.

It was also claimed that Mrs Sinclair-Robinson signed for her husband on paperwork needed to withdraw £171,000 cash from their joint Friends Provident investment fund over a four year period.

She contends that she was not acting dishonestly because her husband knew what was happening. Her defence barrister Jonathan Rose told Mr Robinson during cross examination:

"You knew all along what was going on, what money was spent, how it was spent and where it came from."

Mrs Sinclair-Robinson denies six charges of dishonesty.

The trial continues.