Couple’s £740,000 tax fraud case continued for further discussions

Further discussions are to take place between prosecutors and solicitors acting for a Fife couple accused of a £740,000 tax fraud.

Andrew Dykes, 63, and his wife Lesley, 66, are charged with being knowingly concerned in the evasion of £740,156.54 in VAT from August 2011 to July 2016.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo, Dunnikier House Hotel in Kirkcaldy, and at an address in Mount Frost Place, Markinch.

The couple are facing a single joint charge of contravening the 1994 Value Added Tax Act by submitting returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with false information and failing to submit required VAT returns.

Both have submitted not guilty pleas.

Neither appeared in person at the latest hearing before Sheriff James Williamson at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday.

Solicitor James Stewart, acting on behalf of Mrs Dykes, said there had been “fairly significant movement” towards resolution.

Solicitor David Allan, ac ting for Mr Dykes, agreed.

The court heard the Crown had no opposition to the case being continued for another period for talks between all parties to continue.

Sheriff Williamson continued bail for the pair and set a new date for proceedings to continue.

At a previous hearing, it emerged that HMRC officials had been drafted in to assist the case, which was raised after tax inspectors raided the Crusoe Hotel in 2016.

Dunnikier House Hotel is under new ownership.

The Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo is now up for sale.