Business trainer sentenced after pocketing VAT

A MERSEYSIDE business trainer who kept more than £24,500 VAT he charged his clients rather than pay it to HM Revenue and Customs, has been handed a suspended prison term.

Henry Keesz, 42, of Balmoral Way, Prescot, Merseyside,  and the director of Emergo Consultancy Services, pleaded guilty to VAT fraud at St Helens Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He was sentenced to six months jail suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Sandra Smith, assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, said: “Keesz was a business consultant and trainer and was well aware that he was breaking the law.

“He chose to pocket the VAT he had collected from his clients, at the expense of UK taxpayers. Because of his dishonesty he has not only damaged his business reputation but he has a criminal record.  Keesz has already repaid the stolen money to the public purse ending the need for further enforcement action by HMRC.”