£800,000 tax fraudster jailed for five years
A builder from Canterbury who submitted fraudulent VAT repayment claims to HMRC regarding his building companies has been jailed for five years.
Wayne Morris Harrison, 52, pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating the public revenue, after using his building firms, David Charles Homes Limited and Weybridge Homes Limited, to fraudulently claim VAT refunds worth £812,250.
A court heard that the claims were made on the basis that the firms were building zero-rated residential properties, when in fact the only construction work they were undertaking was an unfinished property near Canterbury and a renovation of Mr Harrison’s home in Broadstairs.
An HMRC investigation found that Mr Harrison had submitted fake invoices, false documents and phony VAT claims. The investigation believes that some of the money was used to purchase an apartment in Russia.
HMRC officers searching his former home found designer jewellery, golfing equipment and a large newly built kitchen and conservatory.
Upon sentencing, Mr Recorder Alex Milne QC said: “Your offending does strike at the heart of the taxation system, and I sentence you on the basis of loss to the taxpayer of £812,250.
He continued: “Your companies were validly registered [for VAT], but you became dishonest making fraudulent VAT refund applications.”