VAT conman's jewellery sale

JEWELLERY and watches belonging to a fraudster who was part of Britain's biggest ever VAT scam are to be auctioned off.

The property belongs to 35-year-old Craig Johnson who was jailed for more than 10 years in September. He was one of 21 criminals – 13 from North Staffordshire – put behind bars for their involvement in frauds which have robbed the taxpayer of £138 million.

Johnson lived in Meaford Hall, a £3 million, eight-bedroom mansion near Stone. Revenue and Customs were able to trace £4.5 million of assets which included two helicopters, two other UK properties, seven properties in Dubai, a plane, a yacht, 10 quad bikes and £200,000 worth of Rolex watches and jewellery.

Fellows & Sons, in Birmingham, will be auctioning the jewellery on Thursday. The watches will feature in a separate auction on January 19.

Stephen Whittaker, managing partner of Fellows & Sons, said: 'The jewellery and watches which we have for auction are some of the highest range items that money can buy – from a fine quality diamond ring estimated at £25,000 to £30,000 and other similarly stunning pieces of diamond-set jewellery to watches by Rolex, Chopard and Breitling. Just one of the Rolex watches is expected to achieve in excess of £30,000. These pieces are the best."