Struggling single dad on benefits with two kids under ten blew £5k compensation payout on souped-up sports car … and he couldn’t even drive
Matthew faced eviction months after blowing his cash on the turbo-charged dream car
A JOBLESS single dad with two young kids blew £5,000 on a souped-up sports car … even though he couldn’t drive.
Dad-of-two Matthew has been claiming benefits for ten years and was struggling to live on £12,000 a year when he won a payout after a motorbike accident.
But he told On Benefits he blew the cash on his dream car and he boasted about the modifications that gave it more power – including an R32 induction, stage 2 remap, stainless exhaust and a performance-enhancing turbo back exhaust.
But he filled the car from a jerry can because he could only afford £5 of petrol at a time and he couldn’t afford a driving test.
He said: “I just need the finances to get me through to getting the licence.
“In hindsight I did it the wrong way round. But it was a case of I had that money, I’d never had that amount of money at the time. I got excited.”
The unemployed dad, from the Isle of Wight, revealed he was good with cars but had never trained for a job in the motor trade because he hadn’t got time.
He said: “At heart I’m a car mechanic. I started on bikes when I was a young’un. “Unfortunately I’m not a qualified mechanic. I never had the time to go to college but it would be something I’d like to do.”
The Channel 5 show - which airs tonight – caught up with the Matthew six months after he bought his car.
But he had been forced to sell it after he fell behind in his rent and he and his two sons, Logan and TJ, faced eviction.
He revealed his benefits were stopped after he was accused of having an illegal lodger – which he denied – and he was living on £20 a week child benefit.
Matthew, who had brought up the boys since splitting with their mother four years before, also revealed his heartbreak as five-year-old Logan went to live with their mother.
He said: “I no longer see my youngest because their mum was missing them too much. She couldn’t stand not being a parent any more
“She wanted the youngest back on a permanent basis.It hurt but we’re getting used to it.”
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He added: “Logan seems happy. I have to put my feelings aside for the sake of their happiness and it breaks my heart.”
Matthew was seen attending an appointment to get his benefits reinstated but admitted life was still going to be tough.
He said: “Life on benefit is a struggle. If certain scenarios crop up you don’t have the finances to solve it. Like new school uniform or school trips.
“I don’t have the finances to deal with that.”
On Benefits; Compensation King is on Channel 5 on Thursday at 8pm
