Number’s up for the man they used to call ‘Lucky’

WINNERS: Fred and Maureen Holt

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AN Oldham shop worker has been jailed for 30 months for trying to claim a winning £1million lottery ticket belonging to an elderly couple.

Farrakh Nizzar (30) told Maureen Holt her EuroMillions ticket was a loser — and even asked her if she wanted the ticket back.

Mrs Holt (78) and her husband Fred (80) who knew Nizzar by his nickname “Lucky”, told him to bin what they believed was a worthless ticket.

But Nizzar, who worked in his cousin’s shop, had been informed by the terminal the owner should contact Camelot.

After pocketing the ticket Nizzar called Camelot to claim the prize for himself.

The company became suspicious when Nizzar couldn’t answer questions about the ticket. Camelot checked CCTV and traced rightful owners, the Holts.

Nizzar pleaded guilty last month to fraud and was jailed at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester yesterday. Recorder Philip Cattan told him: “The courts must demonstrate to you and to others that this type of fraud will be met by significant custody.”

The lottery terminal at the Best One shop where Nizzar worked has been removed and the shop is no longer licensed to sell tickets.


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