TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
Well-known member
09 Jul 2013
A self-employed scaffolder from Sunderland has been jailed following an investigation and subsequent prosecution by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
50-year-old Joseph Dellett was found guilty at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court of the fraudulent evasion of income tax and VAT totalling GBP 56,000 over a four-year period between 2007 and 2011.
Jo Tyler, assistant director for criminal investigation at HMRC, said individuals who intentionally act to defraud the taxpayer in this manner should be aware that not only will they face hefty fines for their actions, HMRC will prosecute them to the full extent of the law, often resulting in lengthy custodial sentences where an individual's actions have been proven to be premeditated.
"The vast majority of businesses play by the rules but Dellett chose to evade the taxes he should have been paying. People who attempt to run a business or work in the black economy should take notice, we can and will track you down," she said.
Dellett was sentenced to 18 months behind bars for his actions after it emerged he had failed to pay any income tax after setting up a new business in 2007.
Prior to doing so he was declared bankrupt, but failed to inform HMRC of his new venture, avoiding income tax payments of more than GBP 38,000 and natural insurance contributions of up to GBP 18,000.
Despite not paying his own taxes, he continued to charge his customers VAT over this four-year period, effectively pocketing an additional salary at the taxpayer's expense.
A self-employed scaffolder from Sunderland has been jailed following an investigation and subsequent prosecution by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
50-year-old Joseph Dellett was found guilty at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court of the fraudulent evasion of income tax and VAT totalling GBP 56,000 over a four-year period between 2007 and 2011.
Jo Tyler, assistant director for criminal investigation at HMRC, said individuals who intentionally act to defraud the taxpayer in this manner should be aware that not only will they face hefty fines for their actions, HMRC will prosecute them to the full extent of the law, often resulting in lengthy custodial sentences where an individual's actions have been proven to be premeditated.
"The vast majority of businesses play by the rules but Dellett chose to evade the taxes he should have been paying. People who attempt to run a business or work in the black economy should take notice, we can and will track you down," she said.
Dellett was sentenced to 18 months behind bars for his actions after it emerged he had failed to pay any income tax after setting up a new business in 2007.
Prior to doing so he was declared bankrupt, but failed to inform HMRC of his new venture, avoiding income tax payments of more than GBP 38,000 and natural insurance contributions of up to GBP 18,000.
Despite not paying his own taxes, he continued to charge his customers VAT over this four-year period, effectively pocketing an additional salary at the taxpayer's expense.