Lotto warning to syndicates as £100,000 win ends in court case

MEMBERS of lottery syndicates were reminded yesterday to put their agreements on paper after a row erupted over a ticket which won more than £100,000.

Sylvia Evans, of Brandon, Suffolk, is being sued by 17 syndicate members who allege that she and her husband Martin pocketed winnings which belong to the syndicate.

Mrs Evans claims she purchased the winning ticket with her own money and consequently does not owe the syndicate, based in Thetford, Norfolk, any of the 105,505 prize.

The legal action was being brought by Shula Fuller and Moira Marshall on behalf of the syndicate, which is claiming a total of almost 8,000 per member, including interest.

They claim that Mrs Evans entered into the syndicate at a birthday party where she agreed to buy 19 Lucky Dip tickets for a Saturday night draw of the National Lottery.

After the group won 20 it is alleged that Mrs Evans agreed to use the money to buy tickets for the draw on the following Wednesday, 30 June.

It was one of these tickets, the group allege, that matched five numbers and the bonus ball.

Mrs Evans claims she did not agree to use the 20 to buy further tickets and used her own money to purchase the winning numbers.

A statement issued by the couple's solicitor read: "Mr and Mrs Evans categorically deny the allegations made by Ms Fuller and Ms Marshall.

"There were never any discussions between Mrs Evans and Ms Fuller, by telephone or otherwise, as to whether or not the 20 should be used to purchase further tickets, and there was no agreement that it would be used to purchase tickets for the following Wednesday draw.

"Mrs Evans did not use the 20 winnings to purchase tickets for the Wednesday draw.

"Mrs Evans used her own money to purchase Lucky Dip tickets as she regularly did, and it was one of these tickets that won."

Tens of thousands of people across the UK play the National Lottery as part of a syndicate and the case is the latest example of how a friendly pact can turn sour.

A spokesman for lottery organiser Camelot said it was unaware of the case, but stressed the need for syndicates to draw up a proper agreement which sets out the rules clearly.