Stephen Jupe, from Kingston, south-east London, was found guilty on Friday of defrauding investors and creditors.

Southwark Crown Court heard Jupe bought the whisky from Speyside Distillery Ltd, near Inverness, and passed it off as his own brand.

Investors later discovered it was worth a fraction of what they had paid for it. Jupe is to be sentenced on 21 May.

Fraud investigation

Jurors heard Jupe offered the whisky to at least 2,000 investors at prices of up to �1,750 for 110 gallons - a mark-up of almost 146%.

It was only when customers tried to get a return for their investment that they found it was not worth what he had claimed.