Man dubbed "millionaire shoplifter" jailed

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - A Briton dubbed the "millionaire shoplifter" who enjoyed the high life on the back of his crimes, was jailed on Monday for a string of offences across the country.

Kevin Castle, 43, made his cash by gaining refunds from large DIY stores such as Homebase and B&Q using fraudulent receipts from shoplifted goods.

He and his partner Elaine Rodgers, 47, spent lavishly, living in a luxury apartment, driving top of the range cars, and eating in some of the London's top restaurants, police said.

"Castle and Rodgers have lived the high life for many years, living off the proceeds of crime," said Detective Constable Dot Walker from Lancashire Police.

Walker said Castle had rented an apartment in London's upmarket Knightsbridge district costing 1,000 pounds a week, dressed in designer Versace, Armani and Luis Vuitton suits, and ate out at restaurants popular with celebrities such as Le Caprice and The Ivy.

Detectives said it was estimated he had spent more than 40,000 pounds on car hire alone in three years.

Lancashire police said they first came across Castle in 2004 when he tried to use a fraudulent receipt at a B&Q in Preston.

He used a number of guises and identities, pretending to be an electrical engineer, an alarm fitter and a company director.