A DESPERATE businessman who fraudulently claimed more than £1.7 million to fund a lavish lifestyle has been sent to prison.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Christopher Rogers, 50, used the money to buy a yacht, a Mercedes, and fund flights abroad for him and his family.

Prosecutor Jodie Mittell told the court that Rogers, of Hadrian Way, Chilworth, Southampton, had previously been a director at a boat fitting company called MSC Europe Ltd, but after this folded in 2010 he continued to submit receipts and receive sums from HM Revenue and Customs.

Analysis carried out by HMRC found that about £500,000 had been transferred from a business account into Rogers' personal account and a further £425,000 was moved into separate companies including Joinery Now Ltd.

It was discovered that about £80,000 had been withdrawn as cash and receipts were found at Rogers' home for travel costs and shopping trips, while £500,000 had been allocated to debit card payments.

He was arrested in 2013 and a search of his home revealed he had a hot tub and expensive watches, and he admitted during an HMRC interview that he had spent £63,000 on a yacht and £41,000 on a Mercedes.

Daniel Jameson, representing Rogers, said: "The background is of a man who is desperately sinking.

"He is a man who has shown remorse - he has let himself and his family down and this has been hanging over his head.

"He has not told his relatives or his children about the case and he's a man who is deeply troubled and deeply ashamed. He knows what he has done is wrong."

Rogers, who pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud last month, was given a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence and banned from being a company director for 10 years.