AN accountant has been jailed for 18 months for fiddling income tax and VAT repayments of more than £88,000.

Nigel Newman, 58, who has worked with small and medium sized businesses in Taunton, admitted fraudulently claiming the cash at Taunton Crown Court.

Newman, of Monmouth Court, Chard, admitted he had hijacked other people's identities to carry out fraud.

He also admitted setting up companies and sending sham accounts to HM Revenue and Customs and Companies House.

He made a total of more than 30 claims over a period of 23 months.

Newman was charged with offences under the Fraud Act 2006 last October and pleaded guilty on January 8, prior to his sentencing on Friday..

Colin Spinks, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “As an accountant Newman knew full well the seriousness of his criminal actions, he carried out a sophisticated fraud that took deliberate organisation and planning.

"He stole money that should have been spent on vital public services, not to be used as his own personal nest egg.

"He is now paying the price with a criminal conviction and time behind bars”.

If you know of anyone committing tax fraud you can report them by calling the 24 hour HMRC hotline on 0800-595000.