Army major to take stand in Millionaire case

A British army Major accused of cheating his way to the top prize on Britain's version of the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? was today expected to give evidence.

An British army Major accused of cheating his way to the top prize on Britain's version of the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? was today expected to give evidence.

Charles Ingram, 39, who was expected to be the first of those on trial to take the witness stand after the prosecution closes its case, allegedly answered his way to the seven figure fortune with the help of coded coughs from a fellow contestant.

In the dock with him is 53-year-old college lecturer Tecwen Whittock, who is accused of making a series of coded coughs.

Also on trial is Ingram’s wife Diana, 38, who is said to have played the role of “arranger”.

The court yesterday heard from Dr John French, one of the World’s top sound experts, who told how he had identified 36 coughs from an evening’s “throat clearing” total of 192 as coming from one person.

He had also been able to demonstrate they originated from a row of fastest finger first contestant seats where Whittock was sitting.

Another witness was studio sound supervisor Kevin Duff who told how he noticed the coughing during the show and said it was “worse” than anything he had heard on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

However, it was not until later, when he watched a recording of the major’s performance that he was able to perceive an alleged “pattern” to it.

The Ingrams, of High Street, Easterton, Wiltshire, and Whittock of Heol-y-Gors, Whitchurch, Cardiff, who is head of business studies at Pontypridd College, south Wales, deny a single count of procuring a valuable security by deception.