A homeless man struggling to support a pregnant wife and two children was mocked in emails sent between council officers.

Two members of staff at Crawley Borough Council have been warned about their actions and an email "minder" now sifts through all communications to prevent abuse.

The messages surfaced when Rory Fiveash, now living with his family in a hotel room, went to Crawley Town Hall and asked for a copy of his family's housing file.

Inside were printouts of emails sent between departments at the council which refer to the well-spoken father, 24, as Flash Fiveash.

Mr Fiveash and partner Charlotte Monk were evicted from their home in Framfield Close, Ifield, in March last year after a rent dispute with the council.

Referring to a court hearing, one email reads: "I'd just love to get him sorted once and for all."

Another refers to Mr Fiveash as "Superman" and continues: "Your favourite ex-tenant called in today . . . if you are ever bored or in need of some fun company, his mobile number is . . ."

District housing manager Richard Samways and neighbourhood housing manager Gail Weeks have been spoken to about the emails.

Mr Fiveash is appealing against the council's decision that he is "intentionally homeless".

He claims the council messed up his housing benefit assessment.

The family of four are at present at The Grange Hotel, in Brighton Road, Crawley, with no cooking facilities and just a shower between them.

If their appeal is rejected they could be thrown on to the streets days after Charlotte is due to give birth to their third child.

Mr Fiveash said: "These emails were a kick in the teeth."