Business directors accused of dodging VAT payments

Two Moores swerve more than £300,000 in VAT

A court's heard two company directors form Santon are said to have dodged £320,000 in VAT, spending it on their lifestyle and businesses.

John George Moore and Patricia Moore of Meary Voar appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas courthouse via a live video link from the Isle of Man prison.

Seventy-one-year-old Mrs Moore entered no plea to one count of evading VAT, and no plea was entered on behalf of 72 year old Mr Moore, who couldn't speak during the hearing. 

Prosecution advocate Roger Kane said the couple were directors of Greenbank IOM Ltd, a company which sold a plot of land last year.

But he said the couple, who represented themselves in court, failed to tell Customs & Excise about the sale, and failed to pay VAT that was due.

The Moores are alleged to have dodged VAT between 25 March and 29 April last year.

Neither applied for bail and Mrs Hughes remanded them in custody to appear in court again on 28 July.