As we reported recently, Rogue Traders co-host Dan Penteado was wanted by police for questioning on allegations related to benefit fraud…

And yesterday, in a magistrates’ court in Bournemouth, Dan pleaded guilty to eight offences of dishonestly or knowingly claiming housing and council tax benefits.

The allegation was the Dan – while working for the BBC in a salaried position – claimed, and received, £24,000 in state benefits.

The court heard that Dan had “failed to declare” earning from the corporation which ranged from £6,000 to £16,000 during the four years he claimed benefits as a student.

Prosecutor Kerry O’Neill told the court, “On the 17 October 2007, the defendant completed a housing benefit and a council tax benefit application form and on that particular form, he failed to disclose that he had another bank account with Nationwide…

“On 1 March 2008 he again signed further forms verifying and clarifying that he didn’t have other bank accounts.

“On 14 January 2009 he signed another verification form stating that information until this date was true and accurate. It was not true as he had failed to disclose the Nationwide bank account.”

At the end of the hearing, he was granted bail while a pre-sentence report was prepared, so the case has been adjourned until July 17 when he will be summoned to appear again.

Last month, a warrant for Dan’s arrest was issued after he allegedly failed to respond to letters from Bournemouth Borough Council about the impending court case.

Dan has apparently been warned that he could be facing a custodial sentence.