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A man who took more than £18,000 by claiming to be selling cut-price Bollinger champagne has pleaded guilty to fraud.
John Clugston, 64, from West Sussex, was known as ‘Champagne Charlie’ after a string of offences across London. He would approach his victims at work, posing as an employee from a neighbouring business selling cases of champagne cheaply. Once the victim handed over the cash Clugston would leave to get the champagne, but never return.
Both City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police were trying to track Clugston down. He was caught after a Met detective travelling to work spotted him on the bus.
Clugston pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud by false representation this week (27 July), and asked for a further 23 offences to be taken into consideration when he is sentenced.
City of London Police Det Ch Insp Dave Wood said: "Champagne Charlie was engaging, friendly and extremely convincing, and that is why he successfully conned so many people. Thanks to the hard work of the police, though, he’s now behind bars awaiting sentencing."
The Met’s DC Anna Petherbridge said: "After all these days and weeks of trying to track him down, I couldn't believe it when I saw him getting off the bus. I'm really pleased for all those concerned as he has used this trick time and again to fool unsuspecting victims right across London and has managed to con people out of a great deal of money."
