A quantity surveyor from Kenilworth in Warwickshire has been jailed for spending money on property instead of paying an outstanding tax bill.
John Powell earned almost £1m in 20 years as a self-employed consultant quantity surveyor.
But he failed to declare his earnings or to pay any income tax or National Insurance owing HMRC nearly £260,000.
Instead he spent money on property, with one cash purchase being in Antibes on the French Riviera.
Richard Meadows, assistant director, criminal investigation at HMRC, said: “This fraud was all about enhancing Powell’s lifestyle. It is not acceptable to exploit the UK tax system at the expense of others who pay what is due, when it is due.
“We are investing more resources than ever in investigating those involved in this type of criminality.”
Powell worked as a quantity surveyor in the civil engineering industry, mainly on new building complexes in both the UK and overseas.
He has been sentenced to two and half years in prison.
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
