I’ll sue Camelot, says £1m winner who claims prize wrecked her life
AT the age of 17 she won more money than most teenagers could imagine earning in a lifetime.
But now lottery millionaire Jane Park has confessed the cash has left her so stressed and miserable that she is considering suing the firm that gave her the pay-out.
In 2013, Park became Britain’s youngest EuroMillions winner after scooping a £1million prize when she bought her first ticket.
The Edinburgh teenager had to toast the life-changing windfall with Irn-Bru because she was under the legal drinking age.
After winning, she has spent her time flying to exotic holiday destinations, buying two properties and splashing out on breast enhancement surgery.
But now, at the age of 20, she says the cash has left her stressed, making her life ten times worse, and she wishes she had never bought the ticket.
She is also said to be considering legal action against Camelot – comparing the money it gave her at such a young age to putting a gun in her hand.
On Friday, Park appeared in court in Edinburgh to face drink-drive charges.
She is alleged to have been behind the wheel of her white BMW while three times over the drink-drive limit at a McDonald’s drive-through in October.
Park has denied the charges and a trial date has been set for next month.
Speaking to the Sunday People, about her lottery win, Park said: ‘I thought it would make it ten times better but it’s made it ten times worse.
‘I wish I had no money most days. I say to myself, “My life would be so much easier if I hadn’t won.”
‘People look at me and think, “I wish I had her lifestyle, I wish I had her money.” But they don’t realise the extent of my stress.
‘I have material things but apart from that my life is empty. What is my purpose in life?’
She said: ‘My nana Anne told me, “You might as well have given me a gun.” I was like, “Nana, what are you talking about? This is the best thing ever?” But now I totally agree.’
Park has also struggled with relationships since making the win – with potential partners only interested in her finances. She now says she believes that the legal age limit on buying lottery tickets should be raised.
‘I think 18 should be the minimum age for winning the lottery, at the least. The current age of 16 is far too young,’ she said.
But yesterday Camelot said it had set up a support network for the girl, while a legal expert said the millionaire had no basis to sue.
A spokesman said: ‘Camelot takes its duty of care to winners very seriously and all major winners are offered support and advice for as long as they wish.
‘Following her win, Jane received extensive support from Camelot.
‘A dedicated winners’ adviser visited Jane at home to pay out her prize, arrange private banking and support her through the publicity when she chose to share news of her win.
‘An independent financial and legal panel was set up shortly after her win and we put Jane in touch with another winner who won at the same age, to share their experience and help Jane adjust to the win.
‘Of course, it is always up to the winners themselves as to whether they want to take up that ongoing support and advice – but the door is always open and we will continue to support Jane in any way we can if that is what decides she wants.’
Lawyer John Hamilton, QC, said there was no basis for a legal case against the firm.
He said: ‘Camelot have got no duty to her – they have no responsibility as long as an adult buys a ticket within the rules.
‘In fact I would say that Camelot have gone quite far by giving her counselling and advice. They seem to have gone above and beyond by doing that.
‘She would be wasting even more of her money by going to a lawyer.’
‘It’d be easier if I hadn’t won’