Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Fionnula Hainey

The Only Way Is Essex star hits out at trolls who sent him death threats after fraud trial collapse

The Only Way Is Essex star Lewis Bloor said online trolls who sent him deaths threats while he was on trial for fraud should "take a look at themselves" after the case collapsed.

Mr Bloor, 31, who joined the ITV2 reality programme for three years from 2013, was accused of being part of a cold-calling investment fraud before his television career took off.

Around 200 victims were allegedly conned out of more than £3 million after being convinced to buy coloured diamonds at a 600 per cent mark up.

READ MORE:

The reality star denied conspiracy to defraud and was acquitted after his trial collapsed over prosecution failings in the disclosure of evidence.

The fitness and mentality coach described the "onslaught of death threats, calls for me to commit suicide and abuse to my family" as the hardest thing to deal with during the trial.

“We knew I was not guilty, so the trial was just a formality in my eyes," he said following the not guilty verdict, given by the jury at the direction of Judge Adam Hiddleston.

He added: “What we now want to happen is that the trolls online take a look at themselves and stop abusing strangers for a quick kick and light laughter with friends. It’s appalling.

“But I am just happy my team at Blackfords (solicitors) delivered the truth and I can now get back to my work as an online coach and get back to helping my clients.”

Mr Bloor said his work to “help people focus on themselves, look after their body and mind and in turn grow through hard times to become something bigger, stronger and better” had helped him cope with the trial.

“I have lived by my coaching principles during this case. Looking after my mind and body first," he said.

Five others denied the charge and were also acquitted.

The CPS abandoned the prosecution after admitting material that could have helped the defendants or undermined the prosecution case had not been properly disclosed to defence lawyers.

Prosecutor David Durose QC said the material was “wrongly described”, should have been given to the defence teams and that “the inconsistencies were profound”.

“We have come to the conclusion that we cannot confirm to the court that the prosecution has discharged its disclosure duties in this case,” he said.

“We propose to offer no evidence against all of the defendants in this case.”

To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.