Somerset man sentenced for non-payment of confiscation order
It follows his prosecution back in July 2022 by HMRC after he submitted fraudulent VAT repayment claims for tens of thousands of pounds
Last updated 5th Aug 2025
A man from Somerset has been sentenced for the non-payment of a confiscation order.
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit say how on Wednesday 30 July, 69-year-old Patrick Ancill from Eastland Road in Yeovil appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
It follows his prosecution back in July 2022 by HMRC after he submitted fraudulent VAT repayment claims for tens of thousands of pounds.
He owned a field and claimed to be using it to sell livestock, eggs and as an alpaca farm. He was handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
After a review of his assets, in October 2023, a confiscation order of £95,000 was made against Ancill, which he was ordered to pay within three months.
On 30 July 2025, specialist economic crime officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) arrested Ancill for non-payment of a confiscation order and later that day he was brought before the court.
Amanda Alldridge from SWROCU’s Asset Confiscation and Enforcement (ACE) team said: “Ancill has only ever paid £10 towards his confiscation order and as a result he has accrued interest making the current total required to pay £106,690.
"The sentence handed down to him does not cancel his outstanding debt and Ancill remains liable to repay the full amount when he is released.”
On the day of his arrest, officers implemented powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to search for assets that could be used towards the outstanding order.
This resulted in the seizure of items including a motorbike and two road bicycles, which will now be auctioned to help offset the balance owed.
'We are on the side of the law-abiding majority'
Amanda added: “We are committed to ensuring that offenders are denied the financial benefits of their crimes and justice extends beyond conviction to meaningful financial accountability.
"We continue to recover proceeds of crime and uphold the integrity of confiscation orders long after offences have been committed.”
A HMRC Spokesperson said: “We are on the side of the law-abiding majority and we will work alongside law enforcement partners to take action against those who try to cheat the system.
"We urge anyone with information about any type of tax fraud to report it to HMRC online.”