A FATHER and son have appeared in court accused of both evading tax totalling more than £195,500.

Rockwell Adams Jr and Sr, both living in Starmer Crescent, in Darlington, both face a single charge each of knowingly and fraudulently evading income tax relating to their own businesses.

The pair, who are both self-employed, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and stood together in the dock to deny the identical accusation.

The court heard that Mr Adams Jr, 32, works as a landscape gardener and carpet fitter, while his father, Mr Adams Sr, 61, is a self-employed carpet salesman.

The alleged evasion of income tax and payment of national insurance is stated to have taken place over an extended period of time between April 2009 and April 2015.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said: “Both defendants are self-employed and have businesses.

“Over a six-year period, the pair have been understating their income and the amount of income tax due over these six consecutive tax years.

“Mr Adams Jr is alleged to have failed to declare a business profit of £371,000 and failed to pay £109,496 in income tax and national insurance.

“Mr Adams Sr is alleged to have failed to declare a business profit of £323,000 and failed to pay £86,066 in income tax and national insurance.”

The sum the pair are accused of not declaring totals £195,562.

Dave Malone, mitigating, confirmed that their not guilty pleas would take the case to a crown court trial.

Mr Adams Jr, who wore a black hoody and grey jeans, was addressed by chairman of the bench, Alastair White who said: “I suggest you don’t have your hands in your pockets when you appear in crown court.”

The pair were told they would next appear at Teesside Crown Court, in Middlesbrough on the morning of December 7.

Mr Adams Jr and Mr Adams Sr were both granted unconditional bail by Mr White at the end of the short hearing.