South Yorkshire double glazing fraudster jailed for a year

Self-employed Jonathan Wright, aged 36, of Clough Road, Rotherham, admitted failing to declare five years’ income - totalling more than £530,000 - to HM Revenue and Customs during a hearing in March 2016.

The conman’s sentencing was postponed for six months to allow him to repay the tax he should have paid.

But while on bail, despite making a repayment of £61,200, Wright re-offended by submitting a false VAT return in a plot to reduce his debt to HM Revenue and Customs by £20,346.

Sandra Smith, Assistant Director of HMRC's fraud investigation service, said: “Wright was given an opportunity to make good what he owed. Instead, he stole yet more money from the taxpayer.

"He blew his chance, and that greed and naivety has cost him his liberty.

“Crooks like Wright create an uneven playing field for the honest majority. That’s something we won’t tolerate."

Wright was caught out by a taskforce set up to examine the tax affairs of self-employed salespeople working in the double glazing industry.

When interviewed, he said he believed his taxes were deducted ‘at source’ and that he wasn’t required to submit a self assessment return.

He pleaded guilty to 11 counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax and VAT.