Cricketer gets 4yrs for tax fraud

2008-12-05 12:37

Cape Town - Former Proteas fast bowler Garth le Roux and his accountant Deon van Heerden have each been sentenced to an effective four years jail for tax fraud.

However, both men intend to appeal.

The sentence was handed down in Cape Town's Wynberg Regional Court on Friday morning.

Magistrate Jackie Redelinghuys said tax evasion was both very common and very serious.

"A message that people with big cheque books can buy their way out of prison is wrong," he said.

In total R633 947 tax was not paid to Sars over three years.

The state gave notice that it might appeal the sentence. Le Roux and Van Heerden's bail was extended pending their appeal.

- SAPA