A Lowestoft scaffolder has received a suspended prison sentence and 160 hours of unpaid work after making up the figures on his tax returns in an attempt to steal more than £30,000

Kieran Adams, 27, submitted five self assessment tax returns between 2011 and 2015 while working as a self-employed scaffolder across the East of England.

He made numerous amendments, over inflating his expenses and tax paid on his alleged earnings to create multiple repayments that were not due.

He received a repayment of £13,312.48, which he wasn't entitled to, while a further £17,294 was withheld by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after its Self Assessment Repayment Taskforce uncovered his scam.

Adams, of North Parade, Lowestoft, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work when he appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on September 8. He had pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.

Paul Barton, assistant director of HMRC's fraud investigation service, said: 'Adams had no thought for anybody other than himself as he tried to line his pockets with thousands of pounds that should have been funding vital public services. This should act as a warning to others - tax fraud doesn't pay.

'His scam gave him an unfair advantage over his honest competitors but HMRC is determined to clamp down on financial crime and now Adams is paying the price for his criminal behaviour.'

Anyone with information about people committing fraud is asked to contact HMRC by calling the 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000.