Further discussions are to take place between prosecutors and solicitors acting for a Fife couple accused of a £740,000 tax fraud.
Andrew Dykes, 63, and his wife Lesley, 66, are charged with being knowingly concerned in the evasion of £740,156.54 in VAT from August 2011 to July 2016.
The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo, Dunnikier House Hotel in Kirkcaldy and at an address in Mount Frost Place, Markinch.
The couple are facing a single joint charge of contravening the 1994 Value Added Tax Act by submitting returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with false information and failing to submit required VAT returns.
Both have submitted not guilty pleas.
Neither appeared in person at the latest hearing before Sheriff James Williamson at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Solicitor James Stewart, acting on behalf of Mrs Dykes, said there had been “fairly significant movement” towards resolution.
Solicitor David Allan, acting for Mr Dykes, agreed.
The court heard the Crown had no opposition to the case being continued for another period for talks between all parties to continue.
Sheriff Williamson continued bail for the pair and set a new date for proceedings to continue.
At a previous hearing it emerged that HM Revenue and Customs officials had been drafted in to assist the case, which was raised after tax inspectors raided the Crusoe Hotel in 2016.
The landmark was named in recognition of Largo buccaneer Alexander Selkirk, who was marooned in the early 1700s and became the inspiration of Daniel Defoe’s famous novel.
Dunnikier House Hotel is under new ownership, while the Crusoe Hotel was put on the market last month for £550,000 after being formally placed in administration.
