Boss of cruise ship renovator jailed for £1.7m VAT fraud
The boss of a firm which refurbished ships for some of the world’s largest cruise lines has been jailed for VAT and tax fraud.
Christopher Rogers, from Southampton, stole more than £1.7 million of taxpayers’ money to prop up his failing businesses and maintain a lavish lifestyle.
He was jailed for five and a half years following an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.
He was arrested in September 2013 after an investigation into his tax affairs revealed that he continued to submit VAT repayment claims totalling £1,639,368 despite his company ceasing to trade in 2010.