An Ayrshire recycling consultant, who stole more than £300,000 in tax, has been jailed after he was investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
John Hamill, 53, of Stewarton, traded as a sole proprietor for GH Consulting from his home in McCardel Way. Between April 2006 and 2014 Hamill made profits of over £1.3m and failed to pay any Income Tax.
“Hamill failed to register for Self Assessment and used the stolen tax to fund his lifestyle. This was money that should have been funding vital public services.”
Until his arrest in July 2014, Hamill, also known as Gerry, stole a total of £309,941.95. He pleaded guilty to Income Tax fraud at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on 3 April 2018 and was sentenced to 21 months in jail at the same court on Friday.
Hamill has since paid back £56,000 of the fraud.
Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Hamill failed to register for Self Assessment and used the stolen tax to fund his lifestyle. This was money that should have been funding vital public services.
“Tax fraud is a serious crime and I ask anyone with information about those who may be involved to call our fraud hotline on 0800 788 887 or contact us online.”
John Gerald from McCardel Way, Stewarton, pleaded guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on 3 April 2018. He was sentenced to 21 months in jail, when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Friday (11 May 2018).
