Ealing Man used Harrods safe deposit boxes to stash cash

An Ealing scrap metal dealer who paid no Income Tax or National Insurance for seven years, but used two Harrods safe deposit boxes to stash nearly £500,000 in cash, has been sentenced for tax fraud.

Dean Packman (DOB 15.03.61) of Hart Grove, London W5, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison, suspended for two years, 200 hours community service and costs of £2,500.

The money Dean Packman had hidden away was seized during a joint investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Metropolitan Police.

He was charged with offences of Fraudulent Evasion of Income Tax.

Packman admitted it was the profit from his scrap metal and shelving business, even though he hadn’t been licensed with the local authority to deal in scrap metal until January 2011. The amount of tax evaded is estimated at £497,500 during 2003 to 2010.

A confiscation order of £502,093 was granted and this has been paid.

Gary Forbes, Assistant Director, Criminal Taxes Unit, HMRC said:“Dean Packman evaded paying tax for a substantial period of time, thinking he was above the law – he was wrong. He had no consideration for law-abiding taxpayers who pay what is due and now has a criminal record. We have also recouped over £500,000 from Packman’s criminal activities. HMRC will not stop its efforts to track down those who cheat the system.”

Anyone with information about tax evasion can contact the Tax Evasion Hotline on 0800 788 887.

November 22, 2013