Avril Jane Elliott, 49, from Gilberstoun in the Brunstane area of Edinburgh was prosecuted after an investigation into her company鈥檚 finances by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
She pleaded guilty to submitting a string of fraudulent VAT returns between 2008 and 2013, when she appeared at Edinburgh鈥檚 Sheriff Court last month. These fraudulent returns overstated her business expenses, resulting in her receiving 拢275,000 she wasn鈥檛 entitled to.
Elliott was sentenced to two years imprisonment when she appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 25th August 2015.
Cheryl Burr, assistant director at HMRC鈥檚 fraud investigation service, said: 鈥淓lliott鈥檚 actions cheated the exchequer out of significant sums of money, which funded a lifestyle well beyond her legitimate income. She thought she鈥檇 found a way to exploit the tax system, putting her own greed above funding vital public services.鈥�
Elliott鈥檚 fraud started to unravel after an inspection of her company finances. Steps are now being taken to recover the money, HMRC said.
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