The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Anstruther fishery boss faces jail
John Fleming found guilty of almost £500,000 tax fraud scam.
A fisheries boss was in court yesterday where he admitted a half-million-pound tax fraud.
John Fleming, boss of Anstruther-based ICS Fisheries Ltd, scammed almost £500,000 from the taxman over the course of six years.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard he was “knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of VAT” totalling £489,341.48 between May 2007 and July 2013.
Fleming now faces a potential prison sentence following a “complex” probe by tax inspectors.
The court was told Fleming sent in false VAT repayment claims in the name of his company over the course of six years, leading him to be handed the huge sums of cash.
Fleming, 59, of Balmullo, pled guilty on indictment to a charge under the Value Added Tax Act.
Defence solicitor David Bell said: “It won’t surprise the court to learn this has been a long and complex investigation by HMRC.
“There has been a proceeds of crime application served on him this morning.
“He has been on bail throughout this process and I’d ask his status on bail to be maintained.
“It is a very serious charge and he knows that.
“As recently as Friday he has paid a substantial sum – around a third to half of the total figure – to HMRC.
“It is expected that subject to a mortgage being resolved that the full amount will be paid.
“His status being maintained will facilitate some money going back to the taxpayer.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence until next month for the Crown to provide a full narrative of the facts in the case.
Fleming was released on bail meantime.
It is a very serious charge and he knows that. DAVID BELL