Anthony Price was found guilty on three counts of fraud relating to claims he made over a five-year period for VAT repayments on cattle sales, feed, and other VAT-exempt goods and services.  He had pleaded not guilty.

Swindon Crown Court heard that Page had claimed VAT relief on almost £4m-worth of spending between 2008 and 2014. At one point he was said to be claiming around £25,000 per quarter.

HMRC began an investigation and a customs officer who visited the farm in April 2014 was told a farm building roof had recently blown off and the records could not be seen.

On his return in July, the officer was informed that a Portakabin used as an office and containing the farm’s records, had burned down the night before.

Sentencing Page, Judge Jason Taylor said he had created a ‘tissue of lies’ to try and hide his fraud.

Page’s lawyer said his client had not spent the money on an extravagant lifestyle but had ploughed the money in to keep his farm going.

Zoe Ellerbeck, HMRC assistant director of fraud investigation said: ‘Page knew what exactly what he was doing – this was a cynical attempt to cheat the honest majority who play by the rules. He is now paying the price for his actions.’