A SCOT was last night in hiding in a caravan after blowing his (pounds) 3.1m National Lottery win.
John Roberts, the eighth highest winner north of the Border, is said to be penniless after spending his winnings on cars, houses, holidays, and unsuccessful investments.
Originally from the Pilton council housing estate in Edinburgh, the 33-year-old, who is believed to be staying in Yorkshire, was involved in controversy when Camelot held a news conference for him to give details of his windfall in 1998.
Lottery organisers warned journalists at the event that questioning would be cut short if he was asked about anything other than the win, after newspaper reports that a relative was serving a prison sentence for murder.
Steven McIlvaney, his brother-in-law, was jailed for life in the 1990s for murdering a woman in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh.
Other headlines followed, including court appearances on both sides of the border by Mr Roberts for driving offences.
It was also reported that the Edinburgh City Council was chasing the former security guard for rent arrears and unpaid council tax, but he has since paid up.
He and his wife left Scotland in early 1999 and set up home in Blackpool. The couple have since split. He has claimed that he is having to live on family hand-outs after being cheated by former friends and hangers-on.
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