© PA Ashley Johnson has been jailed for 28 months for cheating the public revenue

A fast food worker submitted dozens of false tax returns – preying on a network of family, friends and strangers – to claim thousands of pounds to feed his gambling addiction.

Ashely Johnson, who claims he genuinely believed he was qualified to say he was an accountant, submitted 63 false tax returns on behalf of 10 individuals. The 30-year-old attempted to claim, on his victims’ behalf, more than £131,000 in income tax refunds.

Teesside Crown Court heard that £62,868 was refunded by Inland Revenue and he forwarded just £17,000 on to those who had trusted and paid him to carry out the work. Instead he kept £45,000 to himself and consistently changed contact details to intercept communication and stay under the radar for 21 months.

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The Brambles Farm man pleaded guilty to cheating the public revenue between February 2018 and November 2019. Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said: “His method was to win a person’s trust by promising them he could obtain a tax refund.”

The Middlesbrough court heard he would charge his victims a fee – normally of £200 – and would gain direct access to their tax accounts. He would submit claims for tax refunds and amendments with inflated expenses claims without their permission and for his own gain.

Johnson, who had a level three accountancy technician qualification and used to work in payroll, set up an accountancy firm called Ian Johnson & Co. One of his victims contacted him after seeing an advert on Yell. The gambling addict tried to reclaim over £19,000 on the man’s behalf to which £6,000 was paid out.

He had changed the details so all money went directly to his wife’s account. It was only after being chased down by his victim, who he had sent “on a wild goose chase”, did Johnson hand over £2,500.

Other victims were friend’s of his partner, who had recommended Johnson to help with tax refunds.

Targeting network of family and friends

He also targeted four workmen who were carrying out construction at his home – one of which was his partner’s uncle. On the uncle’s behalf, he claimed for almost £70,000 of which just over £32,000 was again paid directly to the defendant.

Johnson had even pretended to be the uncle in three phone calls to HMRC helpline chasing payments. And when the money came through he forwarded just over £4,500 to the family member – keeping the rest for himself.

In total, Johnson submitted false claims for 10 people – who were all interviewed under caution and initially inspected as being involved in the fraud. Teesside Crown Court heard it would have been a “heart stopping” moment for them all and they remained under suspicion for some time.

Johnson’s partner was also initially charged in relation the Johnson’s crimes although the case was later dropped against her. Paul Green, mitigating, said: ‘He believed that qualification [he had] allowed him to say that he was [an accountant].”

The court heard he had previously worked in payroll but at the time of the offences he was working at a fast food chain and was later claiming benefits.

“When this gentlemen’s wife discovered his gambling and what it was leading to she asked him to leave,” said Mr Green. “He dealt with the gambling issue and the couple have, in effect, gotten back together.”

Mr Green said Johnson has genuine remorse and that he has a low risk of reoffending. Johnson admitted the offences when interviewed and said he was in a “dark place” that he had depression and a gambling addiction.

Johnson, of Marshall Avenue, in the Brambles Farm area of Middlesbrough, was jailed for 28 months.

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