Perth fraudster puts off proceeds-of-crime action for legal advice

Crown seeking to recoup funds by looking at businessman’s assets, including home in France

A proceeds-of-crime court case against a Perthshire businessman who defrauded the tax authorities of almost £175,000 was put off again yesterday to allow him time to speak to his newlyappointed advocate.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that Stuart Newing-Davis, 48, now has legal representation but he asked Sheriff William Wood if he would allow some time for him to discuss matters.

The Crown and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are pursuing Newing-Davis in a bid to recoup some of the money owed by him. This has involved looking into his assets, which include a home he owns in France.

Newing-Davis was sentenced to 32 months in jail in June last year. He admitted fraudulently evading VAT totalling £174,179.33 while working as a director of Trainpeople.co.uk between March 3 2010 and June 7 2011.

The court had heard how NewingDavis, formerly of Bankfoot, repeatedly falsified accounts of his recruitment and training firm, Trainpeople.co.uk. to help another business he owned – Ptarmigan Transport Solutions. Trainpeople.co.uk supplied trained staff to work in the rail industry.

He was eventually caught by HMRC employees but had initially tried to blame accountants and book-keepers for the VAT fraud. At that time, NewingDavis had claimed market forces had put pressure on his businesses, leading to him getting involved in tax evasion.

Yesterday, he asked for the proceedsof-crime action to be postponed again, to allow time for him to have discussions with his advocate.

Sheriff William Wood told the court: “The main thing here is to get this action started – it’s a priority.”

The sheriff had previously warned Newing-Davis that the proceeds-ofcrime action had to go ahead, and would need to be take place “timeously.”

A spokeswoman for The Crown said they wouldn’t comment on the legal action against Newing-Davis being delayed.

A pre-proof hearing will be heard on May 15, while the actual proceeds-ofcrime action will take place for July 5 at Perth Sheriff Court.

The main thing here is to get this action started – it’s a priority

SHERIFF WOOD

Stuart Newing-Davis was caught by HMRC defrauding the state of almost £175,000 by falsifying accounts of his recruitment firm, Trainpeople.co.uk.