The skipper of a guard vessel was caught conning the taxman out of more than £50,000 after a probe was launched into tax evasion in the fishing industry.
Robert McCaffray, 58, failed to pay the taxman anything for seven years as he spent hundreds of pounds per day on online betting sites.
Perth Sheriff Court was told yesterday that almost every transaction on the family’s joint account was a payment to a bookmaker.
McCaffray, of Newbigging Drive, Arbroath, admitted defrauding HM Revenue and Customs out of £54,000 between April 2008 and April 2015.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court: “He was employed on a self-employed basis as the skipper of a guard vessel in the oil and gas industry at the time.
“In October 2015, an HMRC task force tackling tax evasion in the fishing industry identified the accused as a person of interest.
“It was uncovered that the accused had registered for self-assessment in March 2001 when he was working as a fisherman, but no income had been declared or tax paid.
“He was earning between £39,000 and £56,000 per year but did not declare or pay tax on his earnings. The tax evaded amounted to £54,000.
“Bank statements were obtained and showed significant payments to various bookmakers.”
McCaffray was arrested, but made no reply to caution and charge. The Crown lodged a Proceeds of Crime action against him on Tuesday.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence for reports and McCaffray had bail continued.
