A Berkshire couple who ran a high-class chauffeuring service to acting stars have been sentenced for VAT fraud after an investigation revealed they had submitted fake invoices to HMRC as part of a bid to claim over £170,000
Tracey and Allan Bradshaw ran four businesses including Business Drive Ltd and Location Equipment Hire Ltd, providing car services for a variety of UK film studios. However, they failed to pay HMRC almost £31,000 in VAT they had charged their clients. The pair also submitted fraudulent VAT repayment claims of nearly £179,000 but were caught out when officers grew suspicious and began to look into their business records.
HMRC discovered that the couple had created fake invoices for leasing vehicles and general purchases including a giant water tank.
Anthony Swarbrick, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: ‘The Bradshaws were business people driven by greed. They deliberately attempted to pocket almost £210,000 of taxpayers’ money and this case sends out a clear message to those who might be involved in this type of fraud: if you steal public money from honest, law-abiding people, you will face prosecution and pay the price for your criminal activities.’
HMRC officers arrested the couple at their home in Bracknell in December 2013 where they discovered the false documentation.
Both pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of VAT and were sentenced at Reading Crown Court. Tracey Bradshaw was given a 28 month prison sentence, and her husband was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.
Confiscation proceedings are now in place.
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