Mon, 6 Feb 2012

Fraudster who filed no tax, VAT or PAYE returns for seven years jailed for 18 months

A gangmaster who cheated HMRC of more than £350,000 between 2003 and 2009 has been jailed for 18 months.

Sukhninder Singh ran a labour provider business in Norfolk recruiting workers to harvest coriander.

But he did not file a single tax, VAT or PAYE return during the profitable enterprise’s life, despite £2m passing through his bank account and a £1.6m trading profit.

The 52-year-old was exposed following joint raids in October 2009 by HMRC, the UK Border Agency and the Gangmaster Licensing Authority.

Singh pleaded guilty to fraud at Norwich Crown Court. He was jailed for 18 months and banned from acting as a company director for three years.

Jailing him last week Judge Peter Jacobs said: “Firstly you kept no books and it is perfectly clear you had no intention of declaring anything at all to the Inland Revenue. It is difficult even now to get the full extent of your dealings.

“There never was the slightest intention to declare this revenue to those who were entitled to know.”

Singh’s defence said the father of two was “scatty” and was not deliberately withholding payment from the Revenue, adding that he had a disabled son and any jail time would be hard on his family.

Graham Ranson, assistant director criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “We take fraud very seriously. Those involved in this type of activity give themselves an advantage over those honest businesses that play by the rules and that simply isn’t fair or legal.

“We will work closely with our colleagues in the police and other enforcement agencies to stop the damage that such activities cause.”

A confiscation hearing into seizing Singh’s assets has been postponed to a later date.

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