The 43 year old man was wandering around the city of Higashimatsushima in Japan in March of this year despondent after having received the news that his cancer had returned and he only had two to three months to live.

At the same time a security crew were transporting cash from a nearby gaming centre when they dropped the bag containing the cash as they were loading it into an armoured car.

After the crew drove off leaving the bag behind the man happened upon it. Initially passing by it the man returned, picked up the bag and took it to a public toilet where he pried it open with a craft knife.

The worst day of his life suddenly transforming into one of the best the man said he considered the money a “gift from God” and spent the next four and half months spending 18 million (£85,014) (€101,826) of it on medical treatments and travel.

The owners of the bag eventually caught up with the man and he was arrested and charged with misappropriation of lost property.

The man having admitted the charges the prosecution deemed his actions “utterly selfish” and are pressing for a one year custodial sentence. The defence, citing his mental state, have argued that a suspended sentence would be appropriate.

The man will be sentenced on 6 November.