Gravesend lottery scam: Imran Pervais found guilty of fraud

It took a a jury of eight women and four men two hours and 30 minutes to reach a verdict at Maidstone Crown Court today.

As the guilty verdict was delivered, Pervais did not react.

Judge David Griffiths-Jone QC told him: "It seems to me this is a matter that crosses the custody threshold."

Pervais covered his head and face with a scarf as he left the court and refused to answer any questions from reporters.

During the trial, jurors heard how Pervais, of Milton Road in Gravesend, was working in Moores Convenience Store, in Mackenzie Way at the time of the offence.

On May 18, 2012, syndicate organiser Callum Crosier routinely visited the store to check the 28 lines his office group at Morrison Utility Services in Chatham entered each week and to buy the same lines for the draw the following day.

Checking the four tickets, Pervais told Mr Crosier his third ticket had won just £10.

Having matched five balls and the bonus ball, it was actually worth £79,000.

Prosecutor John Keal said: “The issue in this case is not whether or not it was Mr Pervais who did this.

“The issue is whether it was an honest mistake.

“We have clear and compelling evidence that it was not.”

Pervais denied one count of fraud.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Angela Costin, said: ‘Pervais was placed in a position of trust and he abused that trust in an attempt to make a significant monetary gain for himself. "

He also denied this from the outset and sought to con this syndicate out of a considerable amount of money.

‘It was down to the victim’s organisation of his syndicate paperwork that led him to discover that he had matched five numbers and the bonus ball.

"Many people put their trust in shop staff and ask them to check lottery tickets on their behalf; I hope this sends out a clear message to members of the public to check the tickets themselves."

He will be sentenced at the same court on a date yet to be set after April 30.