A man who conned tax officials out of £34 million and funded a lavish lifestyle of luxury hotels and restaurants has been jailed for one of the longest sentences in British criminal fraud history. Thomas Scragg, 56, was jailed for a total of 17 years following three separate fraud convictions against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ~ the latest, in March 2011, for stealing millions of pounds in employee PAYE tax. The conman from Solihull, West Mids. used his business Moya Payroll which managed staff wages of construction industry companies to steal over £26m in tax over a five year period between 2002 and 2007. Other investigations revealed a further £8m of stolen PAYE tax in a 10-month period from April 2007 to February 2008.His co-defendant, Paul Phillips from Derbyshire, was jailed for nine years.The latest conviction for offences in March 2011, followed a joint investigation by West Midlands Police and HMRC.The extent of Scragg's racket has remained a secret until now as cases against his two henchmen Carl Johnson, 49, and his brother Anthony, 51, from Wolverhampton progressed through court.
A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .
FORGET Thorpe Park this summer as this is a 50 mile-per-hour ride over the Colorado River CANYON .
SPLASHING in the water and fighting in-between rocks, these energetic tigers enjoy their fun-filled morning .
With stunning scenery and otherworldly vistas, Iceland’s rural beauty is inescapable – especially for Hollywood .
MEET the little lion of suburbia with a mane that makes him look like a mini-king of the jungle .
A frilled lizard appears to be belting out a tune as it sits in a tree with its mouth open wide .
FULLY equipped with a kitchen and lounge, it's hard to believe this modern holiday let is actually a BUS .
A dog was SOW close to death after she dangerously swallowed a two-inch NEEDLE-Cute Shih Tzu Daisy could have pierced her intestines after eating the long needle and thread after finding it on the carpet .
PUSHING the diver out of his way, this little sea turtle shows he’s not in the mood for photographs .
A HEIGHT-addicted airline pilot has taken pictures of the Dubai from 1,300-feet .
From vibrant blues to dazzling oranges, these eye catching hummingbirds proudly show off their impressive colours .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - FUNKY BUMP: FROM MIRROR bellies to rainbow bumps these pregnancy casts of stone and bronze could be the funkiest way to preserve your bump for posterity .