Bin Man Lottery Winner Loses it All

Bin Man Lottery Winner Loses it All Easy come easy go.

By John W | Aug 12, 2010

Michael Carroll was never your average lottery winner. In 2002 he collected his £9.7 million pound UK National Lottery cheque wearing an electronic offender's tag.

The bin man was just 19 years old at the time of his win and had the opportunity to make something of himself. However, on the contrary, Carroll didn't use his money to move forward in his life but instead squandered the lot following an eight year bender.

The High Cost of Bad Habits

Carroll lapped up the luxury life, spending millions on friends and family and a fleet of cars. However, it was his voracious appetite for drink, drugs and women that cost him dearest.

Just a year after his win he had developed a £2,000 a daycrack cocaine habit and hosted wild parties that ultimately trashed his Norfolk mansion. Sick of his antics, his wife Sandra left him, taking their baby daughter with her.

Carroll merely filled the gap with another £2,000 a day habit, this time consisting of up to four prostitutes every day over an eight year period. He recently commented,'I only started to think about three things - drugs, sex and gold.'

You Win Some You Lose Some

By February 2010 Carroll was declared bankrupt but despite all the highs and lows he told the Daily Mail, 'The party has ended and it's back to reality. I haven't got two pennies to rub together and that's the way I like it.'

Carroll has decided that he was happier when he was a humble bin man and has re-applied for his old "bin man" job.Says Carroll: "I'm not embarrassed or ashamed. As a bin man I'm not going to have the high life I used to - the drugs, whores, drink and cars, but it don't matter. I'm happier now."

Carroll's tale reads like a "How Not to Win the Lottery" guide. Winning the lottery is many people's dream, so if you should pick up a big win remember that the life of excess is a rocky road to travel down. Gamble responsibly.