AN ACCOUNTANT fined over a VAT breach has had his sentence reduced.

The Daily Echo reported in October that Peter Lashmar, 66, sole proprietor of New Forest Tax Accountants in Lymington, failed to pay a security bond of £12,600.

The accountant, who lives in West Way, Pennington, was ordered to pay compensation of £2,000 plus costs.

But earlier this month Mr Lashmar appealed against the severity of his sentence.

His appeal against the severity of the sentence was accepted and his sentence of a £2,000 fine was reduced to a six-month conditional discharge.

His conviction still stands, HMRC said.