A LOTTERY winner is facing life on the streets just weeks after a supermarket refused to pay out on his prize.
Kevin Layne, 63, was told by his local Tesco it was against policy to give him his £140 winnings.
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He instead just bought a meal deal, and claims he was ultimately banned from the store.
Now Kevin, who suffers with severe asthma, says he is at risk of becoming homeless.
His landlord served him a notice telling him to move out of the houseshare he’s lived in for three years by Friday (October 25).
The Sun understands that the landlord says he is acting perfectly lawfully.
Kevin, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, returned to the UK four years ago after living in Thailand and China for nearly two decades.
He told the Sun: “I have no references or a permanent job, so finding alternative accommodation is virtually impossible.
“In case you’re wondering, homeless means homeless to me – I returned with a British passport and tried to support myself from day one.
“Now I face homelessness with asthma, inevitably. No paid hotel for me, just a shop doorway.”
Kevin had initially been living in Blackpool on his return to the UK, but when he was offered work in Birmingham he began renting a flat in the centre of Kidderminster.
His rent has been £100 a week ever since.
Kevin said he was given a formal notice to vacate the property or a court order will be sought.
“I’m not used to Britain, I’ve only rented two places while I’ve been back here,” Kevin said.
“One for a year and then this one for three years. I’ve tried to move to others but I can’t get anywhere because my work’s not permanent, I’ve no references, it’s like I’ve just stepped off the f***ing plane again.”
He continued: “It’s getting used to Britain and I can’t get used to it. It’s turned into a place I don’t recognise at all.”
The house share has seven renters, who share two bathrooms and a kitchen.
I have no references or a permanent job, so finding alternative accommodation is virtually impossible. In case you’re wondering, homeless means homeless to me – I returned with a British passport and tried to support myself from day one.
Now I face homelessness with asthma, inevitably. No paid hotel for me, just a shop doorway.Kevin Layne
Kevin has approached Wyre Forest Council but says they have not provided him emergency accommodation.
“I did go and see them when it all started and they’re useless, I’ve never heard from them since,” he claims.
He understands if the landlord has to apply for a court order it could take several weeks, which will buy him some time.
“It’s depressing, I didn’t think there were things like this here. I’ll have to try and find somewhere, but at the end of the day it’s not that easy,” he said.
“I have to pay for my bank account because it’s one of those virtual ones.
“It’s all the things you have to put up with if you come back to this country. Don’t forget, I’m over 50 so I’m scrap. It’s true.”
Kevin has moved his belongings into storage.
LOTTERY
It comes after Kevin went into his local Tesco in Comberton Hill on August 13 and tried to claim his winnings from the previous Saturday’s Lotto draw, while also picking up a meal deal.
“I paid for my food and then she (the cashier) looked at the lottery ticket and said I can’t pay that, it’s too much,” he previously told The Sun.
“I said it’s £140. I said I put it on here regularly and sometimes I put it on for a month, which is £80. I also put my phone credit on which makes it £90 – sometimes I’ve gone in that shop and paid £100.
“She said you can’t bring that in here,” said Kevin, adding that he was then barred from the shop following a row.
A spokesperson for Allwyn, the National Lottery operator, said: “National Lottery retailers are required to pay out up to £100 in prize money, and up to £500 at their own discretion.”
They added: “It really depends on what Tesco’s own policy is with regards to paying out prizes over £100.”
We understand Tesco tries to pay out on prizes up to £500 where cash is available but it is dependent on how much cash is in tills.
The Sun has contacted Wyre Forest Council for comment.
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