Lottery winner now living on streets after 'Tesco refuses to pay up'

The Tesco shopper says they won a lottery prize but the UK's biggest grocer and supermarket chain then REFUSED to pay out to him.
-Credit: (Image: No credit)


A National Lottery winner from the Midlands claims Tesco has refused to pay out his winnings - leaving him living on the streets. Kevin Layne, 63, says that he won a lottery prize, but the UK's leading supermarket chain wouldn't honour the £140 windfall.

Speaking of his ordeal, Kevin expressed his current plight: "All I got was a meal deal... now I'm homeless living on the streets."

He explained that his local Tesco in Kidderminster declined to give him his winnings, stating it was against their policy. Kevin, who returned to the UK four years ago after living in Thailand and China for nearly two decades, shared with The Sun how his life has spiralled: "I have no references or a permanent job, so finding alternative accommodation is virtually impossible.

READ MORE:Billionaire John Caudwell gives glimpse into lavish life with 41-year-old partner

READ MORE:Woman's years of extreme tiredness and brain fog disappears after making one change to diet

"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. No paid hotel for me, just a shop doorway."

Describing the challenges of settling back into life in Britain, Kevin said: "I'm not used to Britain, I've only rented two places while I've been back here."

Elaborating on his difficulties in finding stable accommodation due to the lack of permanent work and references, he 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."

This unfortunate turn of events follows an earlier incident when Kevin went to claim his prize from the previous weekend's draw at the same Tesco store. Recounting the refusal, he said: "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.

"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."

An Allwyn spokesperson, representing the National Lottery, clarified: "National Lottery retailers are required to pay out up to £100 in prize money, and up to £500 at their own discretion. It really depends on what Tesco's own policy is with regards to paying out prizes over £100."

Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you - it’s FREE