Benefits cheat with French house gets suspended jail

A benefits cheat who claimed thousands of pounds, travelled by private jet, owned foreign and UK properties and visited The Ritz has received a suspended sentence.

Gerry Sherard, of Yattendon Road, Horley, Surrey, pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to five counts of fraud relating to undeclared assets and income.

On Friday, the 65-year-old was given an18-month sentence, suspended for 24 months.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council launched an investigation in 2018 after allegations were made about him.

The authority said he received housing benefit and reduced council tax in January 2016 after being on jobseeker's allowance, declaring himself out of work and having no other income or properties.

He followed this up three times between October 2018 and October 2020 to receive about £30,000.

It later emerged Sherard owned a property in Burgundy, France.

Further inquiries showed he had previously owned a flat in Dubai and a property known as "Harborough's Hall" in Surrey, which he sold in 2019 for £250,000.

The council found he had an undeclared bank account into which large cash deposits were made, it said.

In February 2016, £18,000 was placed in it. In April 2016, there were two deposits: one of £126,000 and another for £19,000.

The largest arrived in April 2018 when £185,000 appeared.

Investigators discovered more than £397,000 was spent between February 2016 and July 2019 at places including Mayfair restaurants, Harrods and The Ritz.

He enjoyed private jet travel and paid school fees, the council said.

In October 2020, the council said, he was arrested and documents discussing shareholdings and pensions were seized.

Photos showing a high-value lifestyle were found.

The council's revenues, benefits and fraud chief, Simon Rosser, dubbed the fraud "complex".

"Our fraud team works closely with internal services and external partners to ensure public funds are protected and that those who deliberately seek to abuse the system are identified and held to account," he said.

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