Mark Lyons ran Lyons Haulage Ltd with his wife, Janet. Between November 2011 and September 2014 they charged customers £194,063 in VAT but kept the money.

The HMRC investigation revealed that Mark Lyons played a central role in the fraud. He was sentenced to nine months in prison and nine months on licence, when he appeared at Dungannon Crown Court after he admitted cheating the public revenue.

His wife Janet Lyons admitted the same offence and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years. She was also banned from being a company director for five years.

Steve Tracey, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: ‘The Lyons stole from the taxpayer and thought they could simply pocket the money, which should have been funding vital public services. They were wrong and now are paying the price with a prison sentence and criminal records.’

Report by Pat Sweet