A tax dodger was today behind bars after pocketing more than £25m in fake claims.

Charles Victor Scarrott, of Twickenham Road, Teddington, used the money to lead a lavish lifestyle, spending £1m on a penthouse in Teddington, £40,000 on dental work and more than £80,000 on holidays.

The 61-year-old was the sole director of 15 property development companies and between 2003 and 2008 submitted 178 fraudulent VAT repayment - claims totalling more than £25m.

He provided false purchase invoices, bank statements and other business records to support the claims and then used the proceeds to purchase luxury items, which also included a Maserati Quattroporte car, worth up to £92,000, two flats in Kingston and Finsbury for his children totalling more than £850,000, and £36,000 on attending sporting events.

Scarrott pleaded guilty to 15 counts of cheating revenue and customs (HMRC) when he appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.

Yesterday, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail and has been disqualified from being a company director for 11 years.

Judge Michael Hopmeir told him: “You played with high stakes, you have now lost and must pay the price.

“Those that cheat the revenue cause direct and indirect damage to the community.

“Those that pay their taxes are effectively victims of those like you that cheat the system. As a result of careful and conscientious work by customs officers, your fraud has been detected.”

John Cooper, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “Scarrott stole from the pockets of innocent people and deprived the nation of vital funds needed for public services whilst funding his own extravagant lifestyle by claiming fraudulent VAT refunds.

“The sentence Scarrott received yesterday will act as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying out this type of crime. HMRC investigators will look to recover the profits made from these illegal activities.”

Confiscation of Scarrott's assets is being sought, the HMRC said.