Tax fraudsters sentenced for £6m scheme

TWO TAX EVADERS were sentenced for a £6m fraud that funded their "luxury lifestyles".

Marcus McKinley, 66 years old, of Orpington and his 40 year old son Michael, pleaded guilty to cheating the public revenue and false accounting.

Between 1997 and 2004 they created false invoices to hide the withdrawal of £18m from two construction companies. Their scheme allowed them to make £3m of fraudulent VAT repayment claims, also reducing their corporation tax bill, reported the Press Association.

"Their activities ensured they were able to fund luxury lifestyles and further increase their wealth at the expense of the taxpayer," said Peter Millroy, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Marcus McKinley was sentenced to four years in jail and disqualified from becoming a company director for ten years. His son received a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years. Michael McKinley was also ordered to undertake 300 hours' community service and was disqualified from being a company director for three years.