A self-styled television property guru, who claimed to once own a £30million housing portfolio is now kipping on an old schoolfriend’s couch and claiming benefits, a court heard on Monday.

Glenn Armstrong, 66, once appeared on ‘Secret Millionaire’ spin-off show ‘How The Other Half Live’ boasting of his wealth, but is now penniless and banned from contacting his ex-wife.

The bankrupt former video shop owner set up Glenn Armstrong’s Property Millionaire Academy Ltd. to teach wannabe investors how to make their fortune.

However, the company ran into difficulties with customers chasing him for their money back and in 2021 Armstrong was declared bankrupt for the second time with debts of over £4m.

After selling his luxury seven-bedroom home, Carisbrook House, Sherington, Buckinghamshire, which went on the market for £3m, Armstrong and his then-wife ‘Lady’ Charlotte Robertson, 39, moved into the landmark ‘Boomerang’ building, Bankside.

However, the couple ran up rent arrears at their luxury apartment of £209,747 and a County Court eviction order was made in August 2021.

His ex, ‘Lady’ Charlotte, was reportedly rehoused by the council and now resides in the more modest place in Sydenham, south-east London.

Armstrong, who claimed to once own more than 200 properties in the Milton Keynes area, has now been sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court for flouting court orders not to contact her.

Now housed by a lifelong friend in Pearcy Close, Harold Hill, Romford, Armstrong pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a non-molestation order on September 20; October 10 and November 14, last year. 

Watching from the public gallery were two of his creditors, who said outside court the sum pursued by individuals and the taxman was nearer £13.6m.

Prosecutor Paloma Rao told the court the couple have four young children, who reside with the mother, who has a court order until May, banning Armstrong from contacting her or attending her home.

The October breach was due to Armstrong messaging her and the other two were when the defendant visited the address.

‘This was as a result of childcare arrangements for the children,’ explained the prosecutor. ‘The victim admits Mr Armstrong stayed at her home address for two weeks.

‘During the September breach of the order Mr Armstrong said that he would take two of their children to the shops, but he was called by the victim, who was concerned about the children’s welfare and about where they were.’

The ex also said she felt ‘guilt-tripped’ by Armstrong into not reporting him to the police for breaching the order, describing herself as a ‘nervous wreck’.

‘She has asked him many times to leave her alone, which he has failed to do,’ added Ms Rao.

‘Mr Armstrong is a man of 66 years old, who has never been in trouble before, is of good character and now finds himself in court,’ said Sonia White, defending.

‘It is his second relationship for him and they have children aged three; five; six and eight, which is a handful for him and his ex-partner, who is much younger than him.

‘Their relationship has broken down and he has had financial difficulties as well. It is obvious she is struggling to look after four children.

‘She has asked for help with the children and he has gone along, prioritising the children over the court order.

‘The children were placed in foster care, but are now back with their mother and social services are very involved with the family,’ added Ms White.

‘He will be assessed to see if he is suitable to look after the children and is currently staying with a friend.

He does not have his own property at the moment because he does not know if he will have the children and there is no point in securing a home that is not suitable.

‘On certain days of the week he will be able to collect the children from school. It is important for the children to have a relationship with their father.’

Armstrong was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also fined £80, with £85 costs, plus a £114 victim surcharge and successfully requested to pay at the rate of £5 per-week as he is on benefits.

‘We took on board the recommendation of the pre-sentence report,’ bench Chairman Ian Rubie told Armstrong.

‘You pleaded guilty to the three breaches when you were trying to be helpful with the children.

‘However, there was a court order and you breached it.’