VAT claimant on knife edge
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• Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth has warned an Accrington haulier who falsely claimed VAT payments that he is likely to lose his licence. Gary Metz, trading as Ats, was called to a Manchester disciplinary inquiry following three convictions last April for falsely claiming repayments of VAT. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Metz holds a licence for four vehicles and four trailers. Michael Cunningham, defending, said that a venture into European haulage had proved unsuccessful and Metz now works for a number of very reputable companies, including TNT.
Metz said that the conviction arose after he had ordered two second-hand vehicles from a London dealer to coincide with the VAT quarter. He was given a delivery date and filled in the VAT return. He was subsequently told that delivery was delayed but he had already submitted the VAT return. As a consequence, he was prosecuted for falsely claiming repayment of VAT.
Waterworth deferred his decision until he has seen more financial details of the company but said that he would probably revoke the licence and then con sider disqualifying Metz from holding a licence.