Lee Hickinbottom, and his partner Tabatha Knott, of Dudley, were found guilty of VAT fraud on 25 March 2022 following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Knott was also convicted of money laundering offences.

Hickinbottom has been held in custody until his sentencing which has been scheduled for 20 May.  

The court heard that Hickinbottom and Knott conspired to submit fraudulent VAT repayment claims to HMRC between 2014-17.

In November 2014, Hickinbottom created a fake transport company called Serenity Community Transport Limited and registered the company on Companies House. He then began submitting the false VAT invoices to HMRC through the company.