An engineer has been ordered to pay more than £1,600 by magistrates after failing to make payments to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Nigel Philip McBurney, 47, of Pengam Road, Blackwood, trading as a sole director of McBurney Civil Engineering, was issued with a Notice of Requirement – a security bond against potential company losses in the future.
The notice required McBurney to pay a £25,000 bond or cease trading until the security was paid. McBurney failed to pay but continued to trade.
Two previous companies operated by McBurney, McBurneys Civils Ltd and McBurneys Retail Ltd, had both ceased trading leaving outstanding debts.
McBurney’s case was heard at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on November 21 where he was ordered to pay a £600 fine, a £20 victim surcharge and £1,000 in costs.
Colin Spinks, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Insolvent traders contribute to the UK’s tax gap so anyone registering for VAT, who has a previous history of failed enterprises, may be asked for security against potential losses.
“This is certainly the case where a business ceases to trade only to be replaced by a new one offering similar or identical services.”