Bury director jailed after failing to produce accounts for company which owed more than £200,000 in tax
- 6th October 2023
A Bury director has been jailed after failing to produce accounts for a company which owed more than £200,000 in tax.
Bolton Crown Court heard how 49-year-old Kevin Hartley, of Bury, was a director of Bury-based Nationwide Home Improvements Limited.
The company, which traded as NWH Improvements, provided building and property maintenance services.
An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found that NWH Improvements owed £213,706.97 in corporation tax, PAYE and VAT.
Hartley was given numerous opportunities to file the company’s accounts, but he failed to do so.
As a result, HMRC issued a winding-up petition against the company, which was granted by the court in December 2021.
Hartley was subsequently arrested and charged with failing to deliver company accounts, contrary to section 444 of the Companies Act 2006.
He pleaded guilty to the offence at Bolton Crown Court on 26 September 2023.
On 6 October 2023, Hartley was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
HMRC’s Assistant Director of Fraud Investigation, Nick Sharp, said:
“Hartley deliberately and repeatedly failed to file his company’s accounts, despite being given numerous opportunities to do so.
“This is a serious offence which deprives the Exchequer of vital funds that could be used to fund essential public services.
“We will not hesitate to take action against those who try to cheat the system.”
Notes for editors
- Kevin Hartley, of Woolfold Road, Bury BL8 1NX, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 6 October 2023.
- He pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to deliver company accounts, contrary to section 444 of the Companies Act 2006.
- NWH Improvements Limited (Company Registration Number: 08257725) traded as NWH Improvements and was based at 74 Bell Lane, Bury BL9 5AP.
- The company was wound up in the High Court on 2 December 2021.
- HMRC’s Flickr channel contains images of some of the individuals sentenced for tax offences (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hmrcgovuk).
Media enquiries
Media Relations HM Revenue & Customs Email: Press.office@hmrc.gov.uk
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