VAT fugitive caught after kebab order leads police to North Wales hideout

A tax fraudster on the run for nearly three years has been arrested after a kebab order gave away his location.

Robert Kemp, 56, was apprehended by HMRC officers at a bedsit in Rhyl, after he paid £18 for a doner kebab.

Kemp had been evading authorities since June 2021, when he failed to appear in court following his admission of VAT fraud.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, but the fugitive eluded capture—until his craving for a takeaway kebab led officers straight to his hideout.

Kemp and his son Marcus had fraudulently reclaimed £251,499 in VAT by submitting fake invoices for a company that claimed to supply windows for new-build homes.

While his son was jailed in September 2021, Kemp fled, remaining at large until April 2024.

Yesterday (26 November 2024), Kemp was sentenced to two years and two months for VAT fraud at Swindon Crown Court.

He was also given an additional two-month sentence for absconding and a further 12 months for an unrelated charge of affray.

Matthew Moignard, Assistant Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said:
“This case shows that we don’t forget and we don’t give up. We can and do use a range of tools to track down fugitives and bring them back before the courts to face justice.”

He added:
“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. The tax we all pay helps to fund the public services we rely on. We are determined to create a level playing field for all.”

HMRC encourages anyone with information on tax fraud or money laundering to report it online.