Jet-setting couple are facing jail over taxes

A COUPLE who funded their extravagant jet-set lifestyle by dodging almost £1 million in payments to the taxman are facing jail.

Michael Howard, 44 and his wife Donna, 43, ran security systems business MDH Ltd and enjoyed a multimillion-pound turnover.

They operated the firm from their £400,000 home in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, and spent thousands of pounds on a globetrotting, no-expense spared lifestyle.

But they are now facing jail after an investigation discovered the company had failed to pay almost £850,000 in tax over a three-year period.

A trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the Howards flew on luxury trips to the Cayman Islands, Mexico and Las Vegas. .

However, an investigation was launched after one of their workers found HMRC had no record of him paying tax or national insurance.

The Howards were charged with failing to pay £531,400.01 in VAT, £150,892.61 in income tax and £162,731.47 in National Insurance between February 2010 and December 2013.

The couple – now divorced – denied the three charges.

A jury found Donna Howard guilty of all charges and convicted her ex of failing to pay VAT. Charges he had failed to pay income tax and NI contributions were found not proven.

Sheriff Vincent Smith deferred sentence for reports.