Birmingham butcher jailed for tax fraud

A Birmingham butcher who faked a letter from a supplier to steal £80,000 in a tax fraud has been jailed for two years.

Munir Hussain, 53, lied about the profits he made on meat he sold at his butcher shop A.K. Halal Meat Centre in Sparkhill, to reduce the tax he owed, but was caught after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Investigators found that Hussain had lied about the cost of supplies for his business so that he could understate his sales and reduce his tax liabilities.

In an attempt to support his fraudulent claims, between April 2008 and March 2011, Hussain also produced a bogus letter, he claimed was from one of his suppliers, detailing sales and purchases.

Hussain pocketed a total of £80,310 in stolen tax, which he spent on living expenses including mortgage payments for three properties he owned – his business premises, his own home and a rental property.

Paul Fisher, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: “Hussain was deliberate in committing this tax fraud, going as far as providing a fake letter from his suppliers. He thought he could hide his fraud, but HMRC is determined to clamp down on tax crime.

“Hussain thought he had covered his tracks – he was wrong and is now paying the price behind bars. He also has to repay the money he stole or spent more time in prison.”

Hussain has to repay the money he stole within three months or face a further 12 months in prison.