Bearsden man has been jailed for fraud

Robert Gray (60) of Pendicle Road, Bearsden, was charged with fraud after he submitted a string of false VAT returns for his printing company to HMRC between October 2011 and August 2013. The fabricated information triggered VAT repayments which he was not entitled to.

On sentencing Gray, the Sheriff presiding stated that he had “carefully planned” his actions.

The Sheriff further stated “that a community pay back order would not act as a suitable deterrent”.

On issuing a two year prison sentence the Sheriff said that had it not been for the fact that Gray had earlier pled guilty and repaid a substantial amount of the money to HMRC, the sentence would have been three years.