‘The money should be BOTH of theirs,’ says shop assistant who sold £1m scratchcard to warring exes
THE shop assistant who sold a £1million scratchcard to warring exes says CCTV supports the case for splitting it 50/50.
The Nisa worker said she clearly recalled regulars Michael Cartildge, 39, and Charlotte Cox, 37, coming in and buying two cards.
And she claimed the shop’s CCTV picked up Michael showing her his phone, backing his claim that he tried to transfer cash to cover the purchase.
The assistant believes it is only fair to share.
She said: “I’m on no one’s side.
“I like them both.
“But I honestly believes that the money should be both of theirs.
“How can you live with yourself after robbing half a million?
“I know I couldn’t.”
The couple are locked in a bitter dispute over the jackpot, with security engineer Michael claiming he is entitled to half.
Waitress Charlotte dismissed his claim he tried to send cash as rubbish — and has been deemed sole winner of the bumper payout after dumping him.
The shop worker in Spalding, Lincs, said the couple usually bought booze but they were skint on the fateful Friday in October.
“I know it was her bank account that paid for it, but it should go 50-50 morally.”
Michael
She recalled Michael trying to send the cash to cover the two £5 Dice Towers games.
The assistant said: “I joked, ‘You’ve not got the money!’. But he was like, ‘Yeah I have. It’s this bloody signal in here’.
“Then he held the phone up to her and it was the spinning wheel.”
CCTV from their visit was taken as part of an investigation by lottery bosses into the row.
It was said to show Michael showing his phone to the shop assistant.
She is also said to have given a statement to Lincolnshire Police.
But new lottery owner Allwyn ruled that Charlotte was the rightful claimant as her name was on the back of the card.
Michael claimed that the couple discussed buying a house with the winnings.
But he was then kicked out of mum-of-one Charlotte’s home three weeks later.
She told The Sun: “I bought the ticket.
“He didn’t transfer me the money.”
IT'S GAME OVER FOR JACKPOT PARTNERS
By Rachel Dale
THERE has been a long history of couples splitting after big lottery wins.
Adrian and Gillian Bayford scooped £148million on the EuroMillions in 2012 before separating 15 months later.
The pair, who lived in Haverhill, Suffolk, at the time, cited the pressure of their enormous win as part of the reason.
Kirk Stevens and girlfriend Laura Hoyle won £10,000 a month for 30 years in the Set for Life draw in 2021.
Laura was living with him rent-free in Hucknall, Notts, when Kirk suggested she paid £25 a week into the Lotto instead.
That certainly paid off — but the following year she dumped him, moved into a smart new house and cut him off from the loot.
Teachers Gerry, 71, and Lisa Cannings, 55, won £32.5million in 2016 and vowed to stay “Mr and Mrs boring and normal”. But the Lincs couple separated four years later and are now with new partners.
Other Lotto jackpot splits include Gareth and Catherine Bull, from Notts, who won £40.6million in 2012.