Gary Turner (47) from Morley in Yorkshire was a successful businessman who owned concessions of ‘Turner’s Butchers’ in local branches of Kwik Save. But when trade slowed in 1996 he used his business to siphon off taxpayers money, deceiving both his family and the tax authorities.
Turner spent his criminal cash on luxury items for himself and his family, including more than £35,000 on his personal collection of Rolex watches and on remodelling his family home. At Leeds Crown Court today he was ordered to repay £241,358.67 following the restraint of his assets by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Dave Cowie, HMRC Assistant Director for Scotland & East, Proceeds of Crime said:
“Turner wanted a life of luxury and was willing to commit fraud to get it. He went to a great deal of effort to hide his lies, but what he thought was a water-tight scam unravelled and now he is paying the price.
“Tax fraud is a serious crime and Turner is now serving a prison sentence for his actions. Like anyone else willing to commit tax fraud he is also paying the price financially by having to repay any criminal profits he still has, under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1993).
“HMRC has investigators who specialise in pursuing and recovering assets derived from the proceeds of crime.”
When Turners business began to fail in 1996 he generated fake invoices mainly for supplies of meat that didn’t exist. Using the false invoices he submitted regular VAT repayment claims for amounts of up to £46,000. Turner admitted that he had consistently lied, describing his business affairs from 1996 as “all fake”.
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Notes to editors:
1. Gary Turner, DOB 9/1/65, of 5 Grange Park Drive, Churwell, Morley, LS27 5UR, was sentenced to five years at Leeds Crown Court on 14 March 2012, having previously pleaded guilty to cheating the public revenue.
2. Gary Turner was today ordered to repay £241,358.67 at Leeds Crown Court. Full payment is due within six months or a further 30 months will be added to the current sentence.
3. HMRC’s flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk
4. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk
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Notes to Editors