An 80-year-old national lottery jackpot winner has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison after his hidden life as a drug kingpin was exposed in court. John Eric Spiby, who bagged a £2.4 million prize in 2010, was found to have been at the heart of a criminal enterprise described as industrial in scale, with drugs estimated to have a street value of £288 million.
A Quiet Home Concealing Vast Criminality
The shocking case unfolded at Bolton Crown Court, where jurors heard that Spiby's "quiet, rural" home near Wigan served as the nerve centre for a multimillion-pound drug empire. Despite his lottery windfall, Spiby continued to live a life of serious crime well into what should have been his retirement years.
Industrial Scale Drug Production
Spiby was convicted of conspiracy to produce and supply class C drugs, specifically tablets designed to mimic diazepam, a medication used to treat anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. The court heard how he "provided the premises and helped adapt the premises and purchase machinery" worth thousands of pounds to facilitate the drug manufacturing operation.
Judge Clarke KC described the operation as "the largest production of drugs of this nature that has ever been uncovered by the police," highlighting the extraordinary scale of the criminal enterprise. The judge noted that Spiby had been "senior in both name and role" within the organisation.
Firearms and Organised Gang Connections
Beyond drug offences, Spiby was also found guilty of two additional charges of firearms possession, possession of ammunition, and perverting the course of justice. The weapons discovered at his home included antique revolvers dating back to the First World War, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Spiby was one of four men convicted as part of what police described as an organised gang that not only produced drugs on an industrial scale but also supplied firearms. His son, John Colin Spiby, 37, received a nine-year sentence for his involvement in the criminal network.
Wealth and Bragging in Criminal Circles
The trial revealed how members of the gang bragged about their wealth in group chats, with Spiby Jr reportedly writing: "Elon [Musk] and Jeff [Bezos] best watch their backs." This boastful attitude contrasted sharply with the serious nature of their criminal activities.
During sentencing, Judge Clarke told Spiby Sr: "Despite your lottery win you continued to live a life of crime beyond what would normally have been your retirement years." The 16-year, six-month sentence reflects the gravity of his offences and his central role in the criminal enterprise.
Co-Defendants and Their Sentences
The other members of the drug empire received substantial prison terms:
- Lee Derury, 45, was jailed for nine years and nine months
- Callum Dorian, 35, received a 12-year sentence in 2024
- John Colin Spiby, 37, was handed a nine-year sentence
Adam Kent KC, defending Spiby Sr, attempted to shift blame during proceedings, claiming Dorian was the "principle of this operation" and the director of the drug empire. He referenced Dorian's own words describing "the guy who's gaff we use is a millionaire," pointing to Spiby Sr's lottery wealth.
The case serves as a stark reminder that criminal enterprises can operate from seemingly ordinary locations, with this particular operation centred in a rural home that belied the industrial scale of illegal activity occurring within its walls.
