An estate agent who failed to submit income tax returns for more than a decade has been ordered to complete 120 hours of community service, narrowly avoiding a custodial sentence.
Julian Webb, 56, of Les Hubits, St Martin’s, Guernsey, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court where he admitted multiple tax offences. The court imposed community service as a direct alternative to six months in prison, with sentences to run concurrently for each offence.
Webb, who operated as a sole trader under the business name Vision since 2013, had not engaged with the Revenue Service since 2014, despite repeated reminders via letters and phone calls.
Over the 11-year period, Webb’s gross income was reported to be approximately £275,000. He estimated his outstanding tax liability at £6,014, although the Revenue Service claimed he owed £19,505 – a figure still under dispute. In addition, authorities imposed a £10,000 surcharge. Webb had paid £15,000 shortly before his court appearance.
During his interview, Webb told officials he lived with his mother and could not recall his income tax or social security numbers. The court also heard that he had received substantial financial assistance from his mother and that his company had faced separate compliance issues with the Guernsey Registry for failing to file business returns.
Prosecuting officer Luke Meyer said the case highlighted the seriousness of neglecting tax responsibilities and expressed concern over the societal message such behaviour could send.
Defending, Advocate Samuel Steel argued that the offences stemmed from negligence rather than dishonesty. However, Judge Marc Davies rejected that view, stating that Webb, as a businessman, was fully aware of his obligations and had repeatedly failed to meet them.
While the judge acknowledged that Webb had not led a lavish lifestyle and that some years may not have yielded taxable income, he emphasised that the repeated failure to engage with tax authorities was a serious matter. Nonetheless, Webb’s lack of prior convictions and his partial repayment before sentencing were significant in the court’s decision to impose community service instead of imprisonment, according to Guernsey Press.
