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 brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .
STRETCHING his little legs in the air, a smiley leaf-tailed gecko breaks free from his old, scaly skin .
AN OLD ENGLISH cottage packed full of history and valuables has been left to rot .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow .
An American black bear mimics John Travolta’s famous Saturday Night Fever dance move by hurling its arm in the air .
A carefree bear cub reclines in the water with his feet raised in the air .
