A tax office official who stole more than £50,000 by funnelling rebates meant for ordinary taxpayers into his own accounts has narrowly avoided jail. Matthew Shirley diverted HMRC refunds of up to £16,000 that were due to be issued to eight 'dormant' accounts - including those belonging to dead people - to himself and spent them on 'goods and treats'.
The 31 year old then completed false records showing the money had gone to its intended recipients in a bungled attempt to 'cover his tracks'. Shirley, from Southsea near Portsmouth, Hants, admitted eight counts of fraud and one of making an article for use in fraud.
However, he avoided an immediate prison term and was instead handed a 20-month suspended sentence by His Honour Judge William Ashworth, who told him the money he had stolen was 'vital' to public services. HHJ Ashworth said: "There is no explanation for your behaviour other than greed to provide goods and treats that you couldn't afford.
