An environmental consultant who paid no income tax for nine years has been handed a 21-month jail sentence.
John Hamill, also known as Gerry Hamill, was described as a ‘recycling consultant’ by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and was sole proprietor of GH Consulting in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Hamill, 54, made profits of over £1.3 million from 2006 to 2014 and failed to pay any income tax during this time, a theft amounting to £309,941.95.
Arrested in 2014, Hamill pleaded guilty to income tax fraud on 3 April 2018 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, and last week (11 May) was sentenced to 21 months in jail.
Commenting on the case, Joe Hendry, Assistant Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “Hamill failed to register for Self Assessment and used the stolen tax to fund his lifestyle. This was money that should have been funding vital public services.
“Tax fraud is a serious crime and I ask anyone with information about those who may be involved to call our fraud hotline on 0800 788 887 or contact us online.”
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.