The graves of two soldiers who died in World War One have been identified in Belgium.

The identifies of the unnamed soldier were named by the ministry of defences as Lance Corporal William Voice MM, from Horsham, and Lance Corporal Lionel Weller Sandell from Worthing.

Lance Corporal Voice was killed in repeated shelling in August of 1917 and Lance Corporal Weller was killed in open warfare in 1918.

Services were held for both soldier on Tuesday.

A gang who stole high-performance cars across Surrey and West Sussex have been jailed.

Romaine Simpson, Charlie Hart and Kayden Brown, admitted conspiring to steal vehicles at Guildford Crown Court.

The men targeted Audi RS cars in Stoneleigh and Copthorne last year, breaking into houses to steal keys and drive vehicles away while owners slept.

Simpson, was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison. Hart and Brown, of Carshalton, were jailed for two years and three months and 16 months respectively.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also given a youth referral order, a criminal behaviour order and a driving ban by magistrates in February.

As this hot weather continues it’s been reported that parts of Surrey could face wildfires similar to those seen in hotter countries.

Birds and other various animals can be particularly affected as they try and flee any affected areas.

Surrey Fire and Rescue have offered guidelines for people who are out and enjoying the sunshine and suggest swapping BBQs and camping stoves for picnics instead.

They also ask people to ensure all litter is collected and taken home, such as items like glass bottles, as they can aid in a fire quickly starting.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses after a man needed surgery on his arm after being pushed following an altercation in Tilgate Forest on Tuesday evening, 21 April.

The man, 66, had been walking on a trail near the animal park at about 6.20pm and he reported being narrowly missed by a man on an E-bike and called out to him. 

The man, who said he was with his daughter, then approached him, verbally abusing him and pushed him, leading to the victim to fall near the concrete benches, before riding off towards the old railway tracks.

We want to identify the man, who is described as being in his mid 40s, about 5’ 8” and wearing glasses and a beard.  

If you recognise this man, witnessed the assault or have dashcam from this area at around this time, please contact police on 101, quoting serial 1154 of 21/04

A local resident has been found guilty of fraud and will be sentenced in May after a successful investigation by the Fraud and Financial Investigation Team at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

The investigation into Gerry Sherard from Merstham started in 2018 following allegations that Mr Sherard was claiming means-tested benefits that he knew he was not entitled to.

Mr Sherard first received Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Support in January 2016, based on entitlement arising from his claim to Jobseeker’s Allowance and later Universal Credit. In his initial claim, he stated that he was not working (paid or unpaid), was not receiving any other income, and did not own (and had not owned) any property in the United Kingdom or abroad. Benefits were awarded following that claim.

In October 2018, May 2019 and October 2020, Mr Sherard submitted Housing Advice Application forms in which he again answered “no” to questions relating to employment/occupation, other income and assets. He continued to receive benefits during this period.

A Council investigation identified property and other assets that were not declared as part of the benefit claims. Council investigators later established that Mr Sherard owned a property in Burgundy, France. Enquiries also indicated that he had previously owned an apartment in Dubai. Furthermore, the investigation established that from 2001 up until August 2019, Mr Sherard owned a property known as “Harborough’s Hall” in Surrey. This property was sold for £250,000 in August 2019.

Undeclared bank accounts

Investigations also discovered undeclared bank accounts where large deposits were recorded, including £18,000 in February 2016, more than £126,000 and a further £19,000 in April 2016, and more than £185,000 in April 2018. Investigators also identified more than £32,900 in cash deposits over a three-year period.

Account analysis also identified expenditure between February 2016 and July 2019 of more than £397,000. This included spending at Harrods, on designer retailers, antique shops, the Ritz and other hotels, as well as restaurants in Mayfair. Transactions also included flights (including private jet travel) and private school fees.

In October 2020, Mr Sherard was arrested at his home address in Merstham, Surrey and several documents were seized, including letters referring to shareholdings in several listed companies and documents relating to pensions. Investigators also seized IT equipment which contained photographs indicative of a high-value lifestyle.

Interviewed under caution

He was interviewed under caution on two occasions in October 2020, with legal representation and on both occasions, opted for no comment in response to the questions asked.

Investigators concluded that, had Mr Sherard declared his full circumstances —including employment, directorships, assets, shareholdings, property ownership and bank accounts — he would not have been eligible for the benefits claimed. The Council’s losses due to Mr Sherard’s fraud declarations totalled just under £30,000.

A summons was issued on 2 August 2021 but with Mr Sherard pleading not guilty to seven counts of fraud, the case was sent to the Crown Court for trial by jury.

On 18 March 2026, he pleaded guilty to five of the seven counts. Mr Sherard is due to be sentenced on 29 May 2026. In the meantime, a confiscation investigation is underway to recover losses to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

Robust approach

Simon Rosser, Head of Revenues Benefits and Fraud at Reigate & Banstead said: “Reigate & Banstead Borough Council takes a robust and proactive approach to preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud in all its forms. Our Fraud Team works closely with internal services and external partners to ensure public funds are protected and that those who deliberately seek to abuse the system are identified and held to account.

“This case is a clear example of our commitment to uncovering complex benefit fraud and pursuing it through the courts, demonstrating that fraud will not be tolerated within the borough.”