Ex-council worker jailed for fraud

An ex-council employee, who faked building works to steal almost £1m, has been jailed for seven and half years after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.

Sandra Smith, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “As a council employee, Crewdson was in a privileged position approving supplier’s invoices. He abused this position of trust and was well aware that he was breaking the law. He made a deliberate attack on council funds at the expense of UK taxpayers."

In 2011, when HMRC investigators began to check suspicious transactions, Crewdson created his own fake business, BBM, registered it for VAT via an accountant and attempted to justify further fake invoices and fraudulent VAT returns to disguise his crimes.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "We are pleased with the verdict and that this matter has been resolved. The county council takes fraud extremely seriously and we have worked closely with the police and HMRC to help bring this successful prosecution." Crewdson will now face legal action to recover the stolen money.