Taxi driver avoids jail for £70,000 tax fraudA taxi driver who defrauded the taxman out of almost £70,000 has narrowly avoided jail.
Self-employed Robert McMahon, aged 60, falsely claimed VAT rebates and failed to pay his income tax for six years, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
McMahon defrauded the taxman out of £68,992 in total.
Judge Paul Darlow said he could "only just" suspend his prison sentence.
He added: "Those people who do not pay their taxes or indeed extract money from the tax authorities are harming the community.
"You and your partner expect to be looked after at Derriford but you do not expect to pay the taxes that keep services such as hospitals, roads and schools going."
The court heard that McMahon's partner had been treated at Derriford after breaking her ankles.
Robert McMahon, of East Prawle in Kingsbridge, pleaded guilty to two counts of evading income tax and VAT between 2009 and 2016.
Jo Martin, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said McMahon had been self-employed but working for a frozen food company.
She said he submitted VAT returns and was paid more than £41,000 in rebates over six years or 24 quarters.
Miss Martin added that when investigators contacted him, McMahon admitted he had been working as a taxi driver without paying income tax. He pocketed £27,776.
Martin Salloway, for McMahon, said his client had got himself into financial trouble.
He added: "He told his probation officer that it was the only way he could see keeping a roof over his son's head."
The court heard that McMahon was working as a taxi driver and paying back the money he owed.
Mr Salloway asked the judge to suspend the prison sentence as an "act of mercy".
Judge Darlow handed McMahon a 20-month term, suspended for two years. He must pay £400 towards prosecution costs.
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