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Jail for 'millionaire shoplifter' Jail for 'millionaire shoplifter'
(about 1 hour later)
A man police dubbed "the millionaire shoplifter" has been jailed for more than two years for money laundering.A man police dubbed "the millionaire shoplifter" has been jailed for more than two years for money laundering.
Kevin Castle, of Nottingham, obtained refunds for shoplifted goods from DIY stores in north-west England and the Midlands, the court heard.Kevin Castle, of Nottingham, obtained refunds for shoplifted goods from DIY stores in north-west England and the Midlands, the court heard.
Castle was wanted by police forces in Lancashire, Nottingham and Greater Manchester, when he was caught.Castle was wanted by police forces in Lancashire, Nottingham and Greater Manchester, when he was caught.
At Preston Crown Court, Castle, 43, admitted money laundering and was jailed for 28 months.At Preston Crown Court, Castle, 43, admitted money laundering and was jailed for 28 months.
Height boostedHeight boosted
Lancashire Police said Castle prompted "a complex and protracted enquiry" with "crimes committed all over the UK".Lancashire Police said Castle prompted "a complex and protracted enquiry" with "crimes committed all over the UK".
Detectives believe he was making between £500 and £1,000 a day from as far back as 2004 as he drove around the country claiming numerous refunds.Detectives believe he was making between £500 and £1,000 a day from as far back as 2004 as he drove around the country claiming numerous refunds.
He used a variety of disguises, posing as a electrical engineer, alarm fitter and property developer.He used a variety of disguises, posing as a electrical engineer, alarm fitter and property developer.
The court heard he even wore blocks in his shoes to boost his height of 5ft 5in.The court heard he even wore blocks in his shoes to boost his height of 5ft 5in.
Castle, of Stapleford, was finally caught as he tried to exchange a packet of doorknobs at the Homebase branch in Altrincham. Castle, of Gibbons Avenue, Stapleford, was finally caught as he tried to exchange a packet of doorknobs at the Homebase branch in Altrincham. He has an appalling set of antecedents and he admits he has wasted his life Ian WhitehurstDefending
He has an appalling set of antecedents and he admits he has wasted his life Ian WhitehurstDefending
He ran outside as staff became suspicious and was found hiding nearby and a search of his Jaguar uncovered 28 packets of Homebase doorknobs and a map highlighting 300 store locations in the North of England and the Midlands.He ran outside as staff became suspicious and was found hiding nearby and a search of his Jaguar uncovered 28 packets of Homebase doorknobs and a map highlighting 300 store locations in the North of England and the Midlands.
A complete till roll was found by officers at his home.A complete till roll was found by officers at his home.
The court heard Castle spent £140,000 gained from the scam using it to stay in a five-star hotel, rent a luxury apartment and hire top-of-the-range cars.The court heard Castle spent £140,000 gained from the scam using it to stay in a five-star hotel, rent a luxury apartment and hire top-of-the-range cars.
He booked a 28-night stay at Claridge's Hotel in London and hired expensive cars including a Porsche Cayenne and several Jaguars.He booked a 28-night stay at Claridge's Hotel in London and hired expensive cars including a Porsche Cayenne and several Jaguars.
Castle's fraud first came to the attention of Lancashire Police in 2004 when he tried to get a refund using a fraudulent receipt at B&Q store in Bamber Bridge, Preston.Castle's fraud first came to the attention of Lancashire Police in 2004 when he tried to get a refund using a fraudulent receipt at B&Q store in Bamber Bridge, Preston.
He escaped but was detained soon after in Nottinghamshire after attempting the same deception. In 2005, he pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to four counts of obtaining property by deception, with 35 other offences to be taken into consideration.
Police inquiries revealed he had targeted Homebase and B&Q stores since 2004.
A year later he pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to four counts of obtaining property by deception, with 35 other offences to be taken into consideration.
Peter McNaught, prosecuting, said police found large amounts of money in Castle's then-partner Elaine Roger's accounts, which were funding "a lavish lifestyle".
Three months later, Castle, of Gibbons Avenue, was arrested in Altrincham. A complete till roll was found by officers at his home.
'Appalling record''Appalling record'
Castle went on the run and he was eventually arrested as he got out of a hired BMW X5 sports car on a car park in the village of Burton Joyce, near Nottingham, in February this year. Peter McNaught, prosecuting, said police later found large amounts of money in Castle's then-partner Elaine Rogers's accounts, which were funding "a lavish lifestyle".
Both were arrested on suspicion of money laundering in April 2006 and later bailed, but Castle was arrested again three months later after the doorknob incident in Altrincham.
Castle was again released on bail and went on the run. He was eventually arrested as he got out of a hired BMW X5 on a car park in the village of Burton Joyce, near Nottingham, in February 2008.
A week later, Rogers, 47, of Chad Gardens, Nottingham was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, at Preston Crown Court for money laundering.A week later, Rogers, 47, of Chad Gardens, Nottingham was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, at Preston Crown Court for money laundering.
Ian Whitehurst, defending, said Castle now wanted to start a new life.Ian Whitehurst, defending, said Castle now wanted to start a new life.
He said: "He plans to obtain lawful employment and settle down with his new partner. "He has an appalling set of antecedents and he admits he has wasted his life," said Mr Whitehurst.
"He has an appalling set of antecedents and he admits he has wasted his life." 'Massive spending'
Sentencing him Judge Phillip Sycamore said: "You have an appalling record of offending, almost exclusively for offences of dishonesty."
Lancashire police said Castle continues to be investigated by Nottinghamshire Police regarding a number of separate deception offences.Lancashire police said Castle continues to be investigated by Nottinghamshire Police regarding a number of separate deception offences.
Despite the attention on Castle, Det Con Dot Walker, of Lancashire Police, said his ex-partner also played a part in the con.
"She was spending on a massive scale at places such as Harrods and Claridges in London," said Ms Walker.
"Castle and Rogers have lived the high life for many years, living off the proceeds of crime."
Both are now subject to confiscation investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Mrs Walker added.