A Stockton-on-Tees bookkeeper who owed more than £240,000 in tax due has been jailed following an HMRC investigation
Nicholas Riley, who traded as Dennis Riley & Co, was found to have failed to tell HMRC about income totalling £1,028,132 between 2011 and 2017 to pocket £241,220 in VAT and income tax. HMRC started looking into Riley’s tax affairs after he submitted VAT returns in 2013 and 2014, but did not declare any income. Riley had previously received a penalty for similar wrongdoings.
At Teesside Crown Court Riley admitted VAT and income tax fraud 2018 and has been sentenced to 28 months in prison. Proceedings are underway to recover the money.
Cheryl Burr, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: ‘Riley knew the rules but chose to ignore them. He worked in a position of trust and shamelessly stole from our public services.’
Report by Pat Sweet
