AN UNLUCKY lottery winner whose £30,000 jackpot ticket was found and cashed in by someone else has been awarded just half her prize.

Dorothy McDonagh, 61, will receive just over £15,000 from Michael and Amanda Stacey who found her winning ticket on the floor of a Moredon Co-Op.

The rest of the money was spent by the Staceys before police caught up with them.

Mrs McDonagh is now considering legal action against Camelot to recover the rest of the money.

Speaking outside Swindon Crown Court today Mrs McDonagh said: “Who would have thought winning the lottery could cause so much hassle for so long?”

Judge Douglas Field ordered Michael Stacey to pay £15,000 plus £111 of interest, and a nominal £5 from Amanda Stacey.