A couple of weeks ago, we reported that Rogue Traders star Dan Penteado had appeared in court to answer charges relating to suspected benefit fraud.

The charges were that Dan had made false statements in order to receive state benefits to the amount of £24,000 while in fact, he was working for, and being paid by, the BBC.

And yesterday, Penteado was back in court for sentencing, which he was told must be custodial, and indeed it was as he was sentenced to twelve weeks behind bars.

In court, magistrate John Corben told Dan, “This is not a victimless crime — it is a crime of stealing from the public purse.

“It was planned and carried out for four years and we consider the matter so serious only a custodial sentence will suffice…” Read more & comment »

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… Read more & comment »

The BBC’s Rogue Traders – which exposes tradesmen who rip people off – is facing some embarrassment this morning as it’s been reported the show as its very own alleged rogue in the form of Dan Penteado…

As fans of the show will know, along with co-presenter Matt Allwright, Dan (pictured on the left above) helps to set up tradesmen who are suspected of scamming their customers into carrying out one of those cons on camera.

However, the Sun reports today that Dan has been charged with suspected benefit fraud, and Bournemouth Borough Council’s legal representative, Joanne McNamara, has told a court that the council has evidence that he misappropriated around £24,000 of state benefits.

Penteado was due apparently supposed to appear at the hearing before magistrates in Bournemouth, Dorset yesterday, but he failed to obey the summons and therefore a warrant for his arrest has been issued… Read more & comment »