A Prescot business trainer who pocketed the VAT he deducted from his clients has been sentenced.
Henry Keesz, 42, the director of Emergo Consultancy Services Limited based in Prescot, kept over £24,500 VAT he had charged his clients between 2012 and 2014.
On Wednesday, Keesz, of Balmoral Way, Prescot, was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to VAT fraud at Liverpool magistrates’ court.
Sandra Smith, from HM Revenue and Customs, said: “Keesz was a business consultant and trainer and was well aware that he was breaking the law.
“He chose to pocket the VAT he had collected from his clients, at the expense of UK taxpayers. Because of his dishonesty he has not only damaged his business reputation but he has a criminal record.
“Keesz has already repaid the stolen money to the public purse ending the need for further enforcement action by HMRC.
“If you know of anyone who is committing tax fraud you can report them by calling our 24-hour Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Keesz was also required to pay £85 cost and £80 victim surcharge.
The court heard that from May 2012 to January 2014, Emergo Consultancy Services Ltd received several payments from his clients.
These clients produced evidence to show that Keesz had provided taxable services to them, including VAT charges of £24,544.59, which they paid in good faith.
Keesz submitted nil VAT returns for these transactions to HMRC and pocketed the VAT.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/