Ex-HMRC worker and bouncer sentenced for evading tax
A FORMER HM Revenue and Customs employee from Manchester who moonlighted as a nightclub bouncer has been given a suspended prison sentence for tax evasion.
Jonathan Hilton, 36, of Burnage, worked as a doorman for several nightclubs in the Manchester area from 1999, but never declared his wages to HMRC.
He joined HMRC as an employee in 2002, but did not declare his second job or extra income.
After suspicions were raised, an internal investigation into his tax affairs found he had fraudulently evaded £16,000 tax over 14 years and not declared a police caution to HMRC when he applied to join the department.
Joff Parsons, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “As someone who used to work for HMRC, Hilton knew that lying about his second income, evading Income Tax and not declaring his police record were all grounds for dismissal and ultimately criminal prosecution. His secrets were bound to catch him out eventually.
“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime, and we will always rigorously pursue those who we suspect of being involved in such criminality. It is vital that we are able to effectively collect the taxes needed to keep the country’s public services running.”
HMRC investigators found that Hilton had often been paid cash in hand and when he was asked by other employers for his National Insurance number, he gave details of a relative’s number in an attempt to evade detection.
He pleaded guilty to being knowingly involved in the fraudulent evasion of Income Tax at Manchester Crown Court on September 12.
Hilton was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £7,651 compensation and given a 160-hour community work order at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday November 17).
