THE owner of a gym in Walton who stole £75,000 in tax repayments has been jailed for more than two years.

Steven Corbersmith, 42, owner of SLC Health and Fitness Club, in Walton, submitted nine fraudulent claims for VAT repayments between August 2012 and September 2016.

HM Revenue and Customs investigators caught up with Corbersmith, who had started a new life in Spain, when he visited the UK.

They found that Corbersmith had edited invoices from legitimate businesses to create templates for his own fraudulent invoices, which he then used to support his false claims.

Fraud Investigation Service assistant director Steve Bowling said: “Corbersmith thought he could fund the lifestyle he desired using taxpayer money but he was wrong.

“HMRC will pursue those who seek to gain an unfair advantage over legitimate taxpayers and businesses.

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime, it deprives vital public services of much needed funds, harming the honest majority.

“I would urge anyone with information about tax fraud to report it to HMRC online or contact our fraud hotline.”

Corbersmith pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in April this year.

He was jailed for two years and four months and banned from being a director for six years when he appeared for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

Proceedingsare now underway to recover the cash.