Tax cheat builder avoids jail by 'slim margin'

Christopher Win avoided jailed by a "slim margin" when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court for sentencing today on of four charges laid under the Tax Administration Act 1994. Investigation of Win’s bank accounts revealed he used the Win Building account for "significant personal expenditure over the tax periods in question". Judge Couch rejected the argument that some of Win’s spending was not for personal enjoyment and said he would describe it as "discretionary expenditure." Judge Couch acknowledged that Win had made a genuine effort to pay back his debt and gave him discounts for his guilty pleas and genuine remorse for his actions. The judge arrived at an end sentence of 12 months’ home detention, saying Win avoided jail by a "small margin".