Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

West Midlands-based directors disqualified after VAT fraud investigation (27 January 2016)

Date: 27/01/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, West Midlands-based directors disqualified after VAT fraud investigation

The directors of a company based in the West Midlands have been disqualified, after an investigation by the Insolvency Service into VAT fraud.

Robin Emmerson Charles Lees, 63, of Bristol – formerly from Lichfield in Staffordshire – and David Anthony Yeomans, 55, from Birmingham gave disqualification undertakings to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) not to promote, manage or be a director of a limited company until 2029 and 2026, respectively.

The undertakings given by Lees and Yeomans follow court proceedings brought by the Official Receiver – the two men were directors of the West Midlands-based company Aspect Associates Limited (Aspect).

The company traded as a wholesaler of household goods and was wound-up by the court on 10 September 2011, owing £635,883 to creditors.

In giving the undertakings, Lees and Yeomans did not dispute that they caused or allowed Aspect Associates Limited to participate in transactions which were connected to the fraudulent evasion of VAT – which they either knew or should have known about – and that Aspect wrongfully claimed VAT from HMRC totalling £749,624.

Aspect Associates Limited was incorporated on 7 September 2009 and the company’s registered office was at 1 Coleshill Street, Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.

The petition to wind up Aspect was presented by HMRC on 18 July 2011 and the winding up order was made on 19 September 2011.

There were no known company assets – and an estimated deficiency to creditors of £635,883.

The issued and paid up share capital of the company was £200, giving an overall deficiency as regards creditors and members of £636,083.

On 18 December 2015, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Lees for 13 years, to run from 8 January 2016.

On 11 December 2015, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Yeomans for ten years and six months, to run from 1 January 2016.

Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service’s Public Interest Unit, Ken Beasley, said:

“The directors of Aspect Associates Limited were well aware of the risks, but nonetheless the company entered into transactions involved in the fraudulent evasion of VAT and sought to wrongfully reclaim VAT input tax.

“VAT fraud is an attack on the public purse – and the periods of disqualification reflect the serious view taken of the misconduct in this case.

“The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers to disqualify directors involved in schemes aimed at defrauding HMRC.”

Duncan Lewis Business Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving business crime, including allegations of false accounting, tax and VAT evasion, embezzlement, company fraud, financial fraud, online or IT fraud, Ponzi schemes and white collar crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews with investigating authorities such as HMRC, Insolvency Service, BIS, SFO, FCA, and City of London Police.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to business crime, call Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.