Bungling housing benefit cheat exposed by Gok Wan

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal

A bungling housing benefit cheat dropped himself in it after appearing on one of Gok Wan's TV shows.

Delroy Gocul had defrauded taxpayers out of £20,000 after claiming his girlfriend was actually his landlady.

However, the crook took part in Mr Wan's show 'How to Look Good Naked', which was watched by his benefits assessor.

The show revealed that Gocul, 39, was supporting his girlfriend, Antoinette Furlonge.

Being in a relationship meant that he was no longer eligible for certain benefits, but he failed to report this to Waltham Forest Council.

Gocul, of Chingford Mount Road, Waltham Forest, London, was handed 120 hours of community service after pleading guilty to failing to declare a change in circumstances.

Councillor Mark Rusling said: "Bare-faced cheek seems to be the appropriate phrase to describe the behaviour of this individual.

“Ripping off the public purse to the tune of nearly £20,000 is pretty despicable, but it almost beggars belief for him to then flaunt his relationship on the telly and expect to get away with it."