A DARLINGTON businessman has been given a suspended jail sentence after admitting a £40,000 tax fraud.

Craig Wright, the co-owner of JC Media Supplies, a computer shop based on Darlington’s Skinnergate, submitted false VAT returns to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over a near six-year period between May 2011 and January this year.

Wright, of Cleasby Cottages, Stapleton, near Darlington, managed the business accounts.

But he was cooking the books and pocketed between £35,000 and £40,000, money which should have gone to HMRC.

The scam was uncovered by investigators after it was found the company’s trading activity did not reflect its business records.

Wright did not declare any cash transactions and suppressed sales on the businesses tax returns to evade paying the correct amount of VAT.

He pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of VAT and was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and 240 hours unpaid work.

The 40-year-old was previously convicted of money laundering and theft in 2008, relating to the sale of stolen property through the business.

JC Media Supplies was set up by brothers Jeff and Craig Wright in Darlington in 2002.

In 2006 The Northern Echo reported Craig Wright was part of a team of martial arts experts taking part in a ‘Tough Guy’ challenge for charity.

The Echo contacted the business in order to give Mr Wright an opportunity to comment, but he was unavailable.

An HMRC spokesman said: “[Craig] Wright stole taxpayer’s money to line his own pockets.

“HMRC will continue to pursue criminals like Wright who think it is acceptable to steal from the public purse.

“If you believe someone is benefitting from tax fraud call our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”