Bay businessman jailed for tax evasion

Ewan Malcolm Campbell who appeared in Tauranga District Court today for sentence on 59 tax evasion offences. Photo/John Borren.

A Bay of Plenty businessman found guilty of $1.45 million worth of tax evasion offences has been jailed for four years nine months.

Ewan Malcolm Campbell, who appeared in the Tauranga District Court today, was sentenced on 59 charges of evading or attempting to evade the assessment or payment of tax.

Campbell's offending spanned six years from 2008 to 2014, and related to GST, income tax PAYE payments and personal income tax evasion offences.

Judge John McDonald, who found Campbell guilty of the charges following a two-day trial in November last year, delivered his reserved decision on December 14.

Judge McDonald sentenced Campbell despite the prisoner's continuing to deny his offending, and maintaining his stance that he did not recognise the jurisdiction of the court.