A Gloucester security services company director, who was jailed for a £497,000 tax fraud, must pay back £67,424 or face another two years in jail and still owe the money
Jonathan Schofield, a director of Cheltenham based J S Facilities Group Ltd, was found guilty of committing the tax fraud and given a three-year prison sentence in February 2018. An HMRC investigation revealed he made fraudulent declarations of income tax and National Insurance, under the PAYE system, and VAT between 2011 and 2016.
This month, at Gloucester Crown Court, he was ordered to pay back £67,424.47 within three months, or face more time in prison.
The confiscation hearing concluded that Schofield had benefited by more than £526,147 from his criminal conduct, but his current realisable assets are less than that. HMRC will be able to pursue any future wealth.
Zoe Ellerbeck, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: ‘Schofield knew he was breaking the law but thought he could get away with ripping off honest taxpayers. He’s already in jail and now he’s facing the financial consequences of his criminal behaviour.’
Report by Pat Sweet
