A SOMERSET businessman who tried to defraud £140,000 from the taxman has avoided jail.

Andrew Richard Parker, 48, of Main Street, Chilthorne Domer, near Yeovil, made a fraudulent VAT claim while he was managing director of a tool and plant hire business.

He fiddled his 2018 VAT return by putting in seven false invoices totalling £945,600.

The fraud was discovered when HM Revenue and Customs launched an investigation following a routine visit to Parker's business, YHC Hire Services.

Officers subsequently discovered Parker had deliberately altered the invoices.

Zoe Ellerbeck, assistant director of HMRC's fraud investigation service, said: “Parker attempted to steal straight from taxpayers and he thought he could simply pocket money which was intended to fund vital public services.

"The VAT evaded in this investigation is more than the equivalent to the wages of four specialised paramedics for a whole year.

"Most people pay the tax they owe, when they owe it, but a small minority think they are above the law.

"HMRC is committed to pursue those who fail to do so and I ask anyone with information about tax fraud to report it to HMRC online, or call our fraud hotline on 0800-788887."

Parker pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of VAT at a hearing at Yeovil Magistrates' Court last month and was yesterday (Friday) sentenced to 10 months prison suspended for 18 months when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court.