A TRIAL has been set for a father and son who are accused of evading tax totalling more than £195,500.

Rockwell Adams Jr and Sr, of Starmer Crescent, Darlington, both face charges of knowingly and fraudulently evading income tax and National Insurance contributions relating to their own businesses.

The pair, who are both self-employed, appeared at Teesside Crown Court today and stood together in the dock to deny the identical accusations, which span six years.

They were given bail after the ten-minute hearing, and will return to the court for a trial on July 16.

At an earlier hearing in front of magistrates, it was said 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 said to have taken place between April 2009 and April 2015.

At the hearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, prosecutor Joanne Hesse 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.