A former Sheffield MP has been summoned to court in connection to a fraud investigation

Former Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara will appear in court next month to face charges of fraud and proceeds of crime offences.
Jared O'Mara, former MP for Sheffield HallamJared O'Mara, former MP for Sheffield Hallam
Jared O'Mara, former MP for Sheffield Hallam

The 39-year-old was elected in 2017 and was the constituency’s MP until 2019. He will appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court on September 24.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “A former MP has been summonsed to court in connection to a series of alleged fraud offences. Jared O'Mara, the former MP for Sheffield Hallam, has been summonsed along with his former chief of staff, Gareth Arnold.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The pair have been summonsed to attend Sheffield Magistrates' Court in connection with offences relating to a number of allegedly fraudulent expenses claims that were submitted to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

“O'Mara, 39, of Walker Close, Sheffield, faces seven counts of fraud and one count of entering into an arrangement which facilitates the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by another, contrary to section 328(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Arnold, 28, of Hunter House Road, Sheffield, faces six counts of fraud.

“A third man, John Woodliff, 42, of Dunninc Terrace, Sheffield, faces one count of entering into an arrangement which facilitates the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by another, contrary to section 328(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The offences are alleged to have occurred in periods between October 2018 and February 2020.”

The CPS decided the three men should be charged after reviewing evidence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rosemary Ainslie, head of Special Crime, added: “The CPS has authorised police to charge Jared O’Mara, former MP for Sheffield Hallam, with seven counts of fraud by false representation.

“The charges relates to an allegation he made fraudulent invoices to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in 2019 jointly with Gareth Arnold, who is also charged with six counts of the same offence. Jared O’Mara is charged jointly with John Woodliff with a Proceeds of Crime Act offence.”