Shepherd Security trio banned for tax-dodging
The family behind Preston-based alarm company, Shepherd Security, have been banned from being company directors for a total of 15 and a half years for failing to pay tax.
Heather and Lance Shepherd, and their son James Shepherd, were disqualified following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.
The bans are as follows:
- Heather Shepherd banned for nine years
- Lance Shepherd banned for four years
- James Shepherd banned for two and a half years
The longer term of Heather Shepherd's ban reflects the fact that, as well as her part in the company's failure to pay tax, she also acted as a director, although not formally appointed, whilst not discharged from bankruptcy. Her bankruptcy was on the petition of HMRC.
Shepherd Security was incorporated on 17 April 2008 and began trading in May 2008 as a 24-hour alarm security centre.
The investigation found that the members of the Shepherd family failed to pay tax totalling £186,332.
Heather and James Shepherd failed to pay tax from September 2008, just a few months after the company commenced trading. Lance Shepherd was appointed as a director of the company from 15 October 2009 and failed to pay tax from that date.
Robert Clarke, head of company investigations Birmingham, said: "A bankrupt who continues to act as a director when explicitly restricted from doing so, shows a total disregard for the insolvency regime, creditors and the business community. What's more those directors who fail to pay their taxes are gaining an unfair advantage over other businesses and cheating the government.
"The disqualifications of this family for a total of 15 and a half years sends a clear message to others that if they act as directors when not allowed to do so or fail to pay their taxes, then they will be investigated by the Insolvency Service and removed from the business environment."
