Image by: KM Group
A couple dubbed ‘Wayne and Waynetta Slob’ have been made homeless by the council after skipping out on paying their rent – to splash their benefits on TAKEAWAYS.
Fast food-loving Daniel Eyers, and his eight-month pregnant partner Lucrezia Worrell, were forced out of temporary accommodation with their four children after being turfed out of their council flat for not paying the rent.
But when Medway Council investigated why the couple had fallen behind on the rent for their flat, in Chatham, Kent, they discovered the greedy pair forked out up to £40 on takeaways every week.
Daniel, 32, says he cannot work because he needs to take his children, aged five, four and two-year-old twins, to school, and Lucrezia, 27, is set to give birth any day.
But the jobless dad, who said Indian and Chinese takeaways were his favourite, hit back and, while admitting being late paying the rent, said he “always pays the money that’s owed”.
He said: “We like to treat the children once a week to a takeaway.
“They don’t usually get much, so it’s a nice treat.
“It was my son’s birthday the other month and we spent £45 but were told by the council we were spending money on non-essentials rather than paying rent.”
Medway Council officials asked them to provide their bank statements after they failed to keep up with the rent.
Officers told them they had made themselves “intentionally homeless” after the receipts revealed they paid for takeaway orders instead of the rent.
They had left a property in Chatham, Kent, in April after receiving a section 21 notice, meaning their landlord wanted to end the tenancy, in June 2018.
They have been in emergency accommodation in Gillingham, Kent, since but were recently told by the council their case for housing in Medway was being reviewed.
Daniel and his partner had to send over their bank statements where the takeaway app payments were uncovered, and have since been asked to leave the temporary council accommodation.
He said he’s been offered a house in Tyne and Wear, in the north east of England, by the early help team, but wants to stay in Medway.
He said: “I’ve been a Medway resident my whole life.
“It was hard enough being moved from Chatham to Gillingham as my children go to school in Chatham.
“I couldn’t get a job as it meant my children would miss out on school, as I have to drive them there everyday.”
Mark Breathwick, head of strategic housing at Medway Council, said support was provided to Daniel before he was evicted and the council has continued to help him since.
He added: “Emergency accommodation is provided to people where appropriate.”
Bailiffs turned up at the house on Monday while Daniel and Lucrezia were on the school run.
The family are currently staying at Daniel’s mother’s home and have no idea where to go next.
Web commenters were less than supportive of the jobless pair.
Kirstin Vincent wrote: “If neither of thema re working, and are currently a family of six, then how can they afford to spend at least £160-a-month on takeaways?
“They must eat very little else.
“They need to learn about financial management quite swiftly. Good luck to them.”
Facebook user Kaherlah Wilks said: “Many a moon ago when I was on benefits, with two young children, I couldn’t afford takeaway.
“My treat was a pack of basic custard cream and a tin of chicken curry.
“The sad thing is, I’m not even joking.”
Many others compared the pair to Wayne and Waynetta Slob – a filthy pair of benefits scroungers who featured heavily in smash hit sketch comedy show Harry Enfield and Chums.
James Taylor added: “Tough luck, Wayne & Waynetta.”
