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| VAT fraudster must pay back £26m | VAT fraudster must pay back £26m |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A 35-year-old man jailed for his part in a multi-million pound VAT fraud must repay £26m to the government. | A 35-year-old man jailed for his part in a multi-million pound VAT fraud must repay £26m to the government. |
| The repayment order on Craig Johnson who is serving 12-and-a-half years, was made at a confiscation hearing. | The repayment order on Craig Johnson who is serving 12-and-a-half years, was made at a confiscation hearing. |
| Among the assets he must sell are a helicopter, his stately home near Stone in Staffordshire, two Bentleys and an Aston Martin. | Among the assets he must sell are a helicopter, his stately home near Stone in Staffordshire, two Bentleys and an Aston Martin. |
| The fraud is one of the largest thefts from public funds that has been brought to court after a Customs investigation. | The fraud is one of the largest thefts from public funds that has been brought to court after a Customs investigation. |
| 'Carousel' fraud | 'Carousel' fraud |
| Robert Alder, assistant director of Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said the six-year inquiry had resulted in one of the longest prison sentences for such a VAT-related offence and one of the largest confiscation orders ever secured. | Robert Alder, assistant director of Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said the six-year inquiry had resulted in one of the longest prison sentences for such a VAT-related offence and one of the largest confiscation orders ever secured. |
| If Johnson does not repay the money he could face another 10 years in prison under the terms of the confiscation order at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday. | If Johnson does not repay the money he could face another 10 years in prison under the terms of the confiscation order at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday. |
| He must pay £8m within the next 12 months and the remainder within a further 12 months, HMRC said. | He must pay £8m within the next 12 months and the remainder within a further 12 months, HMRC said. |
| One of the luxury cars that has been confiscated | One of the luxury cars that has been confiscated |
| Another defendant was also ordered to repay £376,540 within nine months or face a further three-and-half years in prison. | Another defendant was also ordered to repay £376,540 within nine months or face a further three-and-half years in prison. |
| Johnson was one of 21 people to be jailed in connection with the £138m fraud. The defendants were sentenced to a total of 133 years, HMRC said. | Johnson was one of 21 people to be jailed in connection with the £138m fraud. The defendants were sentenced to a total of 133 years, HMRC said. |
| He laundered more than £6m through a complex tax fraud involving the apparent importation and exportation of mobile telephones between several EU states. | He laundered more than £6m through a complex tax fraud involving the apparent importation and exportation of mobile telephones between several EU states. |
| Meaford Hall, Johnson's stately home situated in 22 acres of grounds, has been valued by HMRC at between £2.5m and £3m. | Meaford Hall, Johnson's stately home situated in 22 acres of grounds, has been valued by HMRC at between £2.5m and £3m. |
| After he was sentenced, a neighbour told BBC News that "it was like living next-door to pop stars" although they were unaware of the source of his wealth. | After he was sentenced, a neighbour told BBC News that "it was like living next-door to pop stars" although they were unaware of the source of his wealth. |
| Other assets seized in the operation include a yacht, Rolex watches, diamonds and more luxury cars. | Other assets seized in the operation include a yacht, Rolex watches, diamonds and more luxury cars. |
| Mr Adler said the order "signals our determination to pursue convicted criminals". | Mr Adler said the order "signals our determination to pursue convicted criminals". |
| "The outcome of our investigations will result in vital funds being restored to the nation for investment in public services," he added. | "The outcome of our investigations will result in vital funds being restored to the nation for investment in public services," he added. |
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| Craig Johnson lived an extravagant lifestyle |