British conman sentenced to six years in France for injuring police

Robert Hendy-Freegard, a British conman infamous for his manipulative schemes and the subject of the Netflix documentary "The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman," has been sentenced to six years in prison by a French court for injuring two police officers during an escape attempt. The incident occurred on August 25, 2022, when police attempted to investigate his illegal dog breeding operation in central France. Hendy-Freegard, who had previously been sentenced to life in prison in the UK for various fraud-related offenses, fled the scene in his car, seriously injuring one officer. His criminal history includes psychological manipulation of his victims, leading them to believe he was a spy for MI5 and coercing them into financial exploitation. Although he was released from prison in 2009 after an appeal overturned his kidnapping conviction, concerns about his behavior persisted among local residents. The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the long-lasting impact of his deceptive actions on victims and the community.