A sole director of a construction firm has been jailed for 13 months following an investigation by HMRC…

Stephen Wright, 50, from Llanblethian, Cowbridge, was the director of Lex Facilities and Construction Management Ltd as well as the owner of SJ Wright, and used both companies to fabricate invoices and claim back tax.

The HMRC investigation found Wright submitted invoices to support a VAT refund of £57,000 for an office refurbishment allegedly carried out by Lex Facilities and Construction Management Ltd for SJ Wright in 2008, when in fact it was done in 2006 outside the four-year limit allowed for VAT repayment claims.

Wright was asked to provide proof that the refurbishment work had been carried out in 2008 but he was unable to do so.

The investigation found that Wright had also submitted false invoices in 2006 to reclaim a total of £106,000 in VAT to which he also wasn’t entitled.

Colin Spinks, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation at HMRC, said: “Wright falsified invoices to reclaim VAT he wasn’t entitled to, but HMRC’s checks ensured that he couldn’t.”

“We are investing more time and effort than ever into tracking down those who attempt to rip off public services while they line their own pockets by claiming more than they are legally entitled to.”

Wright pleaded guilty to VAT fraud at Merthyr Crown Court and was given 28 days to repay the proceeds of his crime.