A Co Tyrone businessman has been jailed for his role in a £194,000 VAT fraud, following a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation.
Mark Lyons (48), of Crevenagh Road, Omagh, ran Lyons Haulage Limited with his wife, Janet.
An investigation found that between November 2011 and September 2014 they charged customers £194,063.61 in VAT but kept the money.
The HMRC investigation revealed that Mark Lyons played a central role in the fraud.
He was sentenced to nine months in prison and nine months on licence at Dungannon Crown Court earlier this week, having previously admitted cheating the public revenue.
His wife Janet Lyons admitted the same offence and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years at Dungannon Crown Court in June of this year
She was also banned from being a company director for five years.
Steve Tracey of HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, said: "The Lyons stole from the taxpayer and thought they could simply pocket the money, which should have been funding vital public services.
"They were wrong and now are paying the price with a prison sentence and criminal records".
