A company director who fraudulently claimed £980,000 in VAT repayments has been jailed after spending the money on gambling, luxury purchases and trips to Las Vegas.
Gary Briggs, 52, of Dalton Piercy, Hartlepool, was sentenced to six years and 10 months at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to two offences of cheating public revenue and three counts of money laundering.
False VAT returns and laundering
Briggs submitted 13 false VAT returns for two construction firms between June 2019 and February 2020. He also laundered £69,605 through accounts belonging to three family members.
The court heard he spent £5,000 at Caesars Palace and more than £30,000 at a Las Vegas car dealership, as well as buying a Rolex.
Judge's remarks and sentencing
Judge Gavin Doig said Briggs "knew exactly what he was doing" and had "frittered away" the money.
Briggs was caught by a HMRC investigation and was jailed for six years and 10 months.
