Fisherman’s tax fraud

A SELF-EMPLOYED fisherman from Lerwick could be sent to jail for evading more than £26,000 of income tax over a six-year period.

George Gen, with an address of The Ardent, moored at the Morrison Dock in Lerwick, admitted the charge when appearing at the town’s sheriff court on Wednesday.

The 51-year old had earned almost £170,000 between April 2007 and April 2013 but failed to submit tax returns.

The Crown said Gen had thus obtained £26,419.28 he wasn’t entitled to.

Sheriff Philip Mann said the High Court had laid down guidelines suggesting a custodial sentence for fraudulently evading such a high figure.

Sentence has been deferred until 18 March for background reports.