Recruitment company tax fraudster stole £13,800

A shipping recruitment company director who filed bogus VAT returns to steal £13,800 has been sentenced.

David Taylor 54, of Needham Road, Liverpool, director of Liverpool-based Rapid Recruitment (NW) Ltd, submitted 34 fraudulent invoices to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to dishonestly reduce his VAT liability by £13,803.

HMRC investigators found that a number of the companies on the invoices had ceased trading, some had never registered for VAT and others had de-registered, before the dates shown on the invoices.

Taylor initially denied VAT fraud but changed his mind and pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of VAT on the eve of a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Taylor was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and has to pay costs of £4,800 within 56 days.