Fast food owner jailed for failing to lodge Vat returns

The joint owner of a fast food restaurant has received four prison sentences of four months for failing to lodge Vat returns, with a Judge saying the offences were “an affront” to taxpayers and “a betrayal” of those who bought their fish and chips there.

Catherine Wharton, who has been operating Whartons fish and chip shop at 2 New St, Bantry, West Cork, in partnership with her sister, had previously pleaded guilty to four sample counts of failing to file Vat returns. She was also found guilty of four other sample counts relating to an earlier period during which she was a director of a company that had been running the business.