Tax inspector jailed for fraud

A Huddersfield tax inspector was sentenced to six months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court for fraud.

Inland Revenue investigations uncovered that between July 1998 and July 2003, Mrs Margaret Scargill (52) was responsible for the issue of 26 false repayments. These were made to her two sisters; one of whom is a serving police officer, and to her niece. The loss to the Revenue was about £10219.

In order to generate the false repayments Mrs Scargill manufactured false employment pay and tax details, and amended accurate pay and tax details relating to genuine employment.

In sentencing Mrs Scargill, His Honour Judge Hoffman said: "A fraud on the public and the public purse is particularly serious when it is one of the Inland Revenue's own. You did it because you were well placed to do it and a highly sophisticated fraud involving significant amount of false documents. This sentence is a warning to other Inland Revenue employees who may be tempted to act in a similar manner."

Mrs Scargill admitted responsibility for these actions when interviewed. She maintained that she had received no personal gain.