Fire at Kings Langley home of lottery fraudster treated as 'arson'

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Station Road, Kings Langley, shortly before 2.30pm on Monday (October 17).

Six fire engines attended in total to put out the blaze which was in the roof of the detached and disused property. The fire was out by 4.15pm.

Read more: Fire breaks out at house in Kings Langley

Police officers were also at the scene, after being called by the fire service. A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed this morning that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately and investigations are ongoing.

Smoke pours from the derelict property in Station Road on Monday afternoon. Image: Barry Deakin (Image: Barry Deakin)

The house is still thought to be owned by Edward Putman, who is currently in jail after being found guilty of using a forged winning ticket to claim a £2.5 million National Lottery jackpot in 2009.

Former bricklayer Putman, who is now in his 50s, conspired with Lottery insider Giles Knibbs, who worked in Camelot’s security department, to present a fake ticket.

But the fraud was unravelled in 2015 when Mr Knibbs, 38, committed suicide. He had confessed to friends that he and Putman had "conned" the lottery.

Read more: Edward Putman found guilty of £2.5m Lottery fraud

Edward Putman. Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

In October 2019, Putman was jailed for nine years for his role in the fraud. He had previously served time for the rape of a 17-year-old girl in 1991 as well as benefit fraud.

In January 2022, it was reported that a further six years could be added to Putman’s nine-year sentence.

This was if Putman did not hand over his assets - valued at just under £940,000 - within three months.

Read more: Lottery fraudster could face more years in prison

This house, which was still reported to be owned by Edward Putman in September 2022, is thought to have been deliberately set on fire. Image: Google Street View (Image: Google Street View)

The Mirror reported last month that Putman had paid back £94,000. The publication added prosecutors are now believed to be preparing legal action to trigger the extended sentence.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said at the time: “Following the imposition of a Confiscation Order on Edward Putman, we have recovered £94,013.57.

“He has become liable to pay interest on the outstanding amount, having failed to pay the Confiscation Order within the period given to him by the court.

“We are maintaining our efforts to recover the remaining amount.”

Putman was still listed as the owner of the house in Station Road, according to Land Registry documents, The Mirror added.

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