CLUGSTON: HAVE YOU SEEN BUBBLY CONMAN ‘CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE’?

A conman known as ‘Champagne Charlie’ who has tricked people out of more than £11,000 by offering them deals on cheap fizz, is wanted by police.

John Clugston, 64, is thought to pose as a businessman and claim to sell bottles of Bollinger, left over from work functions, at knock-down prices to London offices.

But once victims of the scam have handed over cash, often between £1,000 to £1,500 at a time, he leaves to collect the champagne and never returns.

Clugston, from Southwick, Sussex, is believed to have committed numerous offences across London including in the boroughs of Kingston, Southwark, Westminster, Lambeth, Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham and the City.

He is also believed to have links with the Brighton area.

As a result of the scam police have nicknamed him ‘Champagne Charlie’. He is described as white, approximately 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with short dark receding hair, blue eyes and a tattoo on his right forearm with the name ‘Sharon’.

He always wears a shirt and tie.

Detective Constable Anna Petherbridge, from the Metropolitan police, said: “He is friendly and engaging in his manner and gives his victims little cause for concern, however, he is slowly conning a lot of people out of a lot of money and we need the public’s help to track him down. We are keen to hear from anyone may know of his whereabouts.”

Anyone with information should call the Met Police non-emergency number 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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