Mark Atkinson, who had previously been employed as a fisherman on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis, was aware that deductions of tax and National Insurance had to be made from any income he received as an employee or self employed share fisherman. He claimed that because his work took him away from home for long periods, he simply had not found the time to account for his tax and National Insurance. Almost £24,000 was lost to the public purse as a result.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) South West spokesman said: "Tax evasion is not a victimless crime because it denies the public services that we all use and picks the pockets of the honest majority of taxpayers. HMRC will pursue those who don't pay what the law says they should and this case sends a clear signal to anyone contemplating cheating on their tax that it could lead to a jail sentence. Steps will always be taken to recover the proceeds of crime."

In sentencing Atkinson, Judge Cottle said: "You just buried your head in the sand and didn't sign up to the share fisherman scheme so that you put tax to one side. I could send you to prison, but I don't think that it is warranted in this case. Steps will now be taken to recover the unpaid tax."

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority reporting directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases.

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