A man who refers to himself as Cheshire’s very-own Kardashian has pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.
Cheshire Police explained how Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, in the affluent Cheshire suburb of Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.
The 26-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 24 June), where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
The court heard how Watkin used the lure of well-known designer handbag brand, Hermes, as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle, as these sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter, and instead, shoppers must be specially invited to buy one.
This therefore makes Hermes bags a lucrative investment, as the resale value of them can be much higher than the original price.
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Jack Watkin has pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud / Credit: Cheshire Police
The victims were told by Watkin that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale, so they proceeded to hand over their money in good faith.
But when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity showed itself, they would begin to ask for their money back… and it was at this point they encountered his excuses.
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A police investigation was launched after one victim contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses, and the case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit.
Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a ‘breathtaking’ amount of luxury goods and hotel bills, all of which Watkin afforded by ‘swindling’ his six victims.
During the investigation, detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone, which he has already been found guilty of at a previous hearing.
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“Watkin deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer,” explained Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary ECU.
“But in reality, he was stealing money from wealthy individuals under the guise of ‘business opportunities’ to fund his expensive habit of fast cars, luxury goods, and designer footwear and clothing.
“It was never going to end well, and his downfall was inevitable.
“Eventually his lies caught up with him and he is now facing the consequences of his deceit, and his perversions.”
Watkin has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3 September at Chester Crown Court.
Featured Image – Cheshire Police
News
‘First-of-its-kind’ reward offered to help find Salford man who went missing 10 years ago
Emily Sergeant
A first-of-its-kind reward is being offered for information on the whereabouts of a Salford man who went missing 10 years ago.
Michael Martin, from Salford – who was 25 when he disappeared – was first reported missing on Monday 8 August 2016 and was last seen at a petrol station on Bolton Road in Kearsley at 7:30am on Sunday 7 August 2016, but since then, there have been no further reported sightings him.
Following immediate enquiries, detectives launched a murder investigation the following week, and the investigation then became what is known as a ‘no-body murder’.
Over the past decade, detectives have been working to try and bring Michael’s body back to his family so they can lay him to rest.
But now, a first-of-its-kind reward of £50,000 is being offered for any information.
Micheal Martin went missing in 2016 / Credit: GMP (Family Handout)
“The not-knowing is gut wrenching every day,” Micheal’s father, Greg Martin, said as he appealed to the public. “We know he’s dead but it’s just not knowing where he was, where he is and what happened to him. It’d give the family some closure – a form of sort of peace.
“My message to the people is to do the right thing. Tell someone or indirectly let the police know what happened to Michael so we can get some peace of mind and closure.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, added: “We are appealing directly to help his family lay their loving son to rest. Michael’s family have not been able to bury their son to bring an element of closure to this heartbreaking tragedy.
“The reward we are offering has never been offered before and that is how much we want to bring Michael home. His family deserve to bring their boy home.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team via the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal here, or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Huge tunnel through the Peak District linking Manchester and Sheffield moves one step closer
Daisy Jackson
Ambitions plans to build a tunnel beneath the Peak District to connect Manchester and Sheffield has moved a step closer.
The proposed tunnel, which could completely transform travel between the two cities, has received a major £500,000 funding boost.
Picture the Eurostar, but plonk it going across the Pennines instead of London to Paris.
If it all goes ahead, journeys between South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester would be much quicker and easier, cutting times by up to 30 minutes, The Sheff reports.
The whopping £500,000 funding has been secured by infrastructure group Future Works, which is behind the proposed Trans-Pennine Connect scheme.
The money will be used to carry out technical and environmental feasibility studies to establish whether the project could actually go ahead.
The plans would see a 14-mile dual-carriageway tunnel built underneath the Peak District, potentially running between Langsett in South Yorkshire and Hollingworth or Tintwistle in Greater Manchester.
Michael Dnes, Future Works co-founder, said: “We’re very excited to be working with UK Dynamism Fund to unlock the next stage of our project.
“This funding will let us complete the technical and environmental feasibility studies needed to get the right outcomes for people and the Peak District as we deliver better transport connections across the Pennines.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has previously voiced his support for the proposals, describing them as a “really exciting opportunity”.
Speaking at a South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority meeting back in September, he said: “We all know the frustrations of travelling between two of the North’s biggest and best cities.”
He also stressed that any plans would need to take environmental considerations very seriously, particularly the impact on wildlife in the Peak District.
The project is still in very early stages, and the funding doesn’t indicate that planning has been approved. We’ll keep you updated with any updates as and when we know.
So, what do you make of this proposal? Would you be keen for a drive through the tunnel?
Emily Sergeant -
25th June 2025 
