A Leeds man has been sentenced after he was caught stealing more than £50,000 in VAT.
Business owner Michael Baker, of Alwoodley Lane, ran an IT consultancy business called Baker Ericson Associates Ltd and lied about how much money he made to evade paying the correct amount of VAT.
Te investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed that the 53-year-old supressed sales on VAT returns between July 2012 and October 2017, pocketing £51,914.82 which should have been passed to HMRC.
Baker admitted VAT fraud at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 14 March 2019.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and 100 hours unpaid work, at Leeds Crown Court today, 30 April 2019.
Baker has started paying back the money he stole.
Information about any type of tax fraud can be reported to HMRC online here .
Visit our homepage for more of the biggest talking points across Leeds.
LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp group to keep you up to date with the latest news! Click here to join and follow the instructions on your phone. Your number won't be shared with anyone else in the group.
.jpg?w=600)
