Robert Hendy-Freegard, notorious for past convictions including kidnapping, has been sentenced to six years in France for running over police officers during an escape attempt. Living in rural France, he faced scrutiny after his criminal history gained media attention.
Infamous British Conman Receives Six-Year Sentence in France After Attacking Police
Infamous British Conman Receives Six-Year Sentence in France After Attacking Police
Robert Hendy-Freegard, a convicted British conman, has been sentenced to six years in France for assaulting police officers while evading arrest.
Robert Hendy-Freegard, a 53-year-old British conman with a notorious history, has been sentenced to six years in prison in France for ramming his car into two police officers as he tried to evade authorities. Previously jailed in the UK for four years for crimes including kidnap and deception, Hendy-Freegard’s new legal troubles began when suspicions arose about his activities while living in a rural part of central France.
Initially, Hendy-Freegard moved to France in 2015, where he illegally bred beagles under a false name. His life in France took a turn when two Netflix documentaries, which scrutinized his past cons—most notably that of posing as an MI5 spy to defraud victims out of £1 million—drew attention from authorities and neighbors alike.
During his trial in Gueret, Hendy-Freegard defended his actions by claiming he panicked and was not intentionally aggressive, stating, "I didn't stop because I'm a human being with emotions." However, prosecutor Alexandra Pethieu described the incident, in which one officer was knocked down and another was thrown against his car, as an alarming scene reminiscent of "Mad Max."
Despite being released early from his previous jail sentence in the UK after some of his convictions were overturned, Hendy-Freegard's troubling behavior prompted investigations. Neighbors voiced concerns about his influence over his partner, Sandra Clifton, leading her children to intervene when a documentary exposed the situation.
After a violent standoff where he hit the two officers and fled to Belgium, Hendy-Freegard was extradited back to face justice in France. An ominous statement from Martine Laporte, mayor of Vidaillat, highlighted the concern over Hendy-Freegard’s manipulative nature: "He really has to be stopped because if he gets out he'll start again, and that's worrying."
As his legal saga continues, Hendy-Freegard’s criminal legacy remains a significant point of discussion, illustrating the challenges of rehabilitation and public safety in cases of long-standing deceit and abuse.
