Tax cheat dodges jail despite stealing over £29,000
A former Isle of Wight man has escaped prison after racking up a massive £29,000 tax fraud. Daniel Street, 31, previously from Ryde and now living in Portsmouth, pocketed thousands by faking tax returns.
Labourer faked £41,000 in tax claims
Between 2012 and 2015, Street submitted false tax returns claiming made-up income and expenses as a labourer. He tried to claim a whopping £41,806, swiping £29,115 before HMRC caught on.
No-show landed him under arrest
Street skipped his first court hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court in March 2017, prompting a warrant for his arrest. He was finally arrested in April this year after agreeing to meet HMRC and pleaded guilty to three counts of Fraud by False Representation under the Fraud Act 2006.
“Daniel Street used the tax system as his personal bank account. He knew what he was doing was wrong and now has a criminal record for tax fraud,” said Richard Wilkinson, HMRC’s Assistant Director of Fraud Investigation Service.
“It is simply not acceptable to steal from UK taxpayers and from the public funds we all rely on. HMRC will continue to pursue those criminals who attack the tax system.”
Sentenced but spared prison
At Newport Crown Court on Friday 25th May 2018, Street was handed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must stick to a two-month night curfew from 9pm to 5am and complete 125 hours of unpaid work within the next year. On top of that, he’s been ordered to pay £300 in costs.
The fraud was exposed by HMRC’s Income Tax Self Assessment Repayment Taskforce, sparking a full criminal probe.
Got tips on tax cheats? HMRC urges the public to report suspicious activity online or call their Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.
