A British inspector of taxes was yesterday sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment for fraud amounting to nearly £300,000 (€429, 898).

Mark Richard Baker (38), a married father of three, from St Andrews Ridge, Swindon, was appearing before Swindon Crown Court yesterday.

Inquiries conducted by the Inland Revenues investigations department revealed that over a five-year period, Baker created 44 false identities and then proceeded to make tax repayments to himself totalling £293,334.

He had previously pleaded guilty in court in November to the offence of cheating the Public Revenue.

Judge McNaught said: "The defendant has misused his position over a long period of time and therefore I have to impose a sentence that reflects this."

An Inland Revenue spokesperson said: "Inland Revenue staff act with the utmost integrity almost without exception.

"A person like this is not only defrauding the exchequer, they are also cheating the public of money and show they have no respect for the community they serve." -(PA)