Notorious Conman Sentenced in France After Violent Encounter with Police

Robert Hendy-Freegard, a UK conman previously jailed for kidnapping, faces a six-year sentence in France after a dangerous altercation with police. His historical manipulation of others and recent actions have raised serious concerns within the community.

A notorious British conman, Robert Hendy-Freegard, was sentenced to six years in prison by a French court following a dramatic incident where he drove his car into two policemen while attempting to evade questioning. The 53-year-old had relocated to a quaint rural community in central France under a false name, engaging in illegal beagle breeding.

Hendy-Freegard, who previously spent four years in a UK prison for his earlier crimes, attempted to justify his actions during the trial. "I was worried sick and I panicked," he claimed, expressing remorse for the injuries inflicted on the two gendarmes during the encounter in Vidaillat, near Clermont-Ferrand. Witnesses reported the scene being reminiscent of a "Mad Max" film, highlighting the chaos of the moment when one officer was knocked down, and the other was violently thrown against the windshield.

The conman, who had previously posed as an MI5 agent to swindle women and students out of £1 million, returned to notoriety after his life was documented in two Netflix productions. His manipulative behavior was allegedly still present, as neighbors of Hendy-Freegard feared for the safety of his partner, Sandra Clifton, prompting her children to intervene with the aid of local authorities.

Hendy-Freegard's past included being released early from prison in the UK when some of his charges, including kidnapping, were quashed on appeal. Despite his claims of emotional distress during the incident with French police, the mayor of Vidaillat, Martine Laporte, voiced the strong belief that Hendy-Freegard poses an ongoing threat, insisting he must remain incarcerated to prevent further incidents of his manipulative conduct. The case has ignited discussions on coercive control and its repercussions, particularly in light of changing legal definitions in the UK.