A STAR Wars stormtrooper who splurged £400,000 on stays in the Ritz and private jet trips while scrounging benefits has avoided jail.
Stuntman Gerry Sherard, 65, who appeared in 1983 film , got £30,000 in and .
Gerry Sherard, who splurged £400,000 on stays in the Ritz and private jet trips while scrounging benefits, has avoided jail Credit: Ray Collins
Sherard as a stormtrooper in Return of The Jedi Credit: Supplied
He made at least five claims from 2016 to 2020, saying he had no savings and did not own any property.
But the cheat, of Horley, in , had owned a , central , and a pad he later sold.
His son even attended an elite private school in Britain.
While trousering , the dad of one also spent big on luxury holidays, as well as trips to Harrods, the Ritz Hotel and Mayfair restaurants.
Sherard, who also worked on and Alien 3, was exposed following a tip-off.
Online photos showed him at the Ritz Casino, in the and drinking booze in a jacuzzi.
His wife had also posted pictures of him on a private jet.
Edward Elton, prosecuting, told Guildford crown : “From the outset he failed to declare he had owned properties. He attended appointments and completed housing advice forms, but made the same denials.”
Online photos showed him in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot, drinking booze in a jacuzzi and at the Ritz Casino Credit: Supplied
Sherard bubbling up and enjoying a drink in a jacuzzi Credit: Supplied
The court was told Sherard has paid back £3,000 of the £30,000 owed to the .
His lawyer, Tristan Chaize, said Sherard’s wife was held captive in Dubai in 2014 for alleged debt — sending Sherard into a financial mess.
But Judge Robert Fraser called it “an abhorrent type of offending”.
Judge Fraser added: “You clearly lied on those forms for claims you were clearly not entitled to. If people like you abuse the system dishonestly, those funds are not available to those who really need it.”
Glitzy dining out for stuntman Sherard Credit: Supplied
Sherard, who also worked on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Alien 3, was exposed following a tip-off Credit: Kobal Collection – Shutterstock
Sherard admitted fraud and was handed a suspended 18-month sentence.
He told The Sun after the hearing, left: “I didn’t realise what I was doing at the time.
“My wife had been taken by ransom in Dubai and I was struggling.”
He will be back in court on November 2 for a confiscation hearing.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
