A HAMPSHIRE carpenter has been jailed for a £26,000 tax fraud.

Oliver Ford, pictured, from Bedford Drive, Titchfield, tried to claim the money through fraudulant income tax refunds.

The 28-year-old submitted multiple self-assessment tax returns to claim tax rebates – but lied about his turnover, deductions and expenses, a court heard.

The illegal repayment claims amounting to £26,405.66 were for June 2008 to November 2012. But only £19,469.96 was actually paid to him with other payments withheld as part of the HM Revenue and Customs investigation.

The probe found that Ford had no books or records to support the claims. He was charged in February.

HM Revenue and Customs said Ford is believed to have spent some of the money on gambling.

Officers will seek to recover the fraudulent payments through the confiscation process.

Ford pleaded guilty in July this year to 15 offences contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. At Portsmouth Crown Court, Ford was jailed for five months with another five months suspended.