A convicted rapist from Kings Langley scooped a £2.5million lottery jackpot with a suspected dodgy ticket, it has been claimed.

Edward Putman didn’t face charges but Camelot were fined £3million over the 2009 scam.

Putman, 51, allegedly claimed the prize with a “deliberately damaged” coupon.

His win went unquestioned until last year when “new evidence” came to light and he was arrested.

Putman was never charged but Camelot was hit by the fine by the Gambling Commission.

Revealing its decision yesterday, it said: “Whilst it could not be certain a fraud had taken place, it was more likely than not that a fraudulent prize claim had been made and paid out.”

READ MORE: Watford based National Lottery operator fined £3m for paying out a fraudulent prize claim

Lottery boss Andy Duncan ducked questions about the possibility of an inside job.

It is thought Putman made the claim after a publicity campaign to find a jackpot winner for a ticket bought around Worcester.

Watford Observer:

Edward Putman's £750,000 home in Kings Langley bought with his winnings

No one else came forward to make a stake on the prize then or since.

It is understood the barcode on the ticket was unreadable leaving Camelot unable to match it to the shop that sold the winning line.

Sources said the payment was cleared following a phone call between the winner and then-Camelot chief executive Dame Dianne Thompson.

Hertfordshire Police said a 51-year-old man from Kings Langley was arrested in October 2015 over “an allegation of fraud connected to a lottery win from 2009”.

Camelot has admitted its record-keeping was not up to scratch.

Camelot could now move to get the money back from former car salesman Putman.

Mr Duncan said: “We are still looking at our options with regards the money itself and looking at legal options going forward.

“Ultimately, if this fraud did indeed take place, we’re the victims of fraud.”

Putman kept the win secret from even family after asking for anonymity. But the multi-millionaire was outed in 2012 when caught claiming benefits.

READ MORE: Lottery winner rapist admits fraud

He splashed out on two sports cars and his plush home but continued to rake in £13,000.

Putman even sent a letter begging for his income and housing support to be reinstated, claiming he had no money. He was later jailed for nine months.

READ MORE: Millionaire benefit cheat Edward Putman behind Kings Langley Green Belt motel plans

He was also locked up in 1993 when, as a jobless bricklayer, he raped a teenager in Milton Keynes.

Putman refused to answer the door at his home yesterday.