A MINISTRY of Defence policeman cheated the taxpayer out of more than £45,000 by fiddling his expenses when he transferred to work in Yorkshire.

Paul Gerrard, 57, avoided an immediate jail term after Leeds Crown Court heard of his service during tours abroad and helping to protect the British royal family.

Tim Capstick prosecuting told the court that Gerrard started work as a police officer with Kent Constabulary in 1987 but transferred to the MOD in 2004 and had also worked as a military policeman.

In 2011 he was transferred to work in the York and Hull area and was allowed to make “dual commitment” expense claims as he had to rent accommodation in the area as well as to pay the mortgage on his family home in Kent.

York Press:

Mr Capstick said the claims became fraudulent from September 28, 2012 when the family home was sold, releasing equity of £113,557 but Gerrard, of Malt Kiln Terrace, Stutton, continued his dual claims.

In December 2013 he met with an inspector to discuss his claims but continued with the deception producing some documents in support to show he still had a mortgage.

The offending came to light in 2014 and when he was interviewed early the following year he said he had continued the claim because he was under financial constraints and updating the property in Yorkshire. Khadim Al’Hassan representing Gerrard said he had completed tours abroad as a police officer and was shot in the arm while serving in Afghanistan and also injured in an explosion.

He also told the court Gerrard had spent four years involved in the protection of members of the royal family. Gerrard admitted one charge of fraud totalling £47,950 and was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years. Judge Guy Kearl QC said: “As an experienced police officer I am satisfied that you knew perfectly well what you were doing was wrong.” But he said he was prepared not to jail him immediately because of his previously unblemished career.