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John Powell, aged 74 and from Kenilworth, earned close to £1m during 20 years’ work as a self-employed consultant quantity surveyor. He worked mainly in the civil engineering industry, on new building complexes in both the UK and overseas. But he failed to declare any of his earnings or to pay any income tax or National Insurance.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) calculated that he owed £260,000. Avoiding tax meant that he was able to pay cash for a property in Antibes on the French Riviera.
Powell was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today, 4 February 2014, to two-and-a-half years in prison. He had admitted cheating the public revenue, contrary to common law, at a previous hearing.
HMRC assistant director Richard Meadows said: “This fraud was all about enhancing Powell’s lifestyle. It is not acceptable to exploit the UK tax system at the expense of others who pay what is due, when it is due.
“We are investing more resources than ever in investigating those involved in this type of criminality. I encourage anyone with information about people or businesses involved in tax fraud to contact our tax evasion hotline on 0800 788 887.”
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