Police hunt ‘Al Capone’ tax evader who skipped court during hearing

Police are hunting for a tax evader – likened to gangster Al Capone – who escaped court during his sentencing hearing.

Nigel Harker, 47, made £30,000 in cash via an illegal trading enterprise from his prison cell at HMP Northumberland – but did not pay income tax on his earnings, the BBC reported.

Last week Harker, of Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and a dangerous driving offence.

The convict was to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, but left the building during a break in the hearing, according to the broadcaster.

Nineteen-month sentence

Handing down a 19-month sentence and a three-year driving ban to Harker in his absence, the judge presiding over the case likened the defendant to the notorious US gangster.

Al Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 1931 after failing to file tax returns.

Michael Cahill, prosecuting, told the court: “In 2020 the defendant was a serving prisoner in HMP Northumberland where he was a wheeler-dealer and trader.

“Named individuals and others purchased items from him by way of trading, and debts accrued.”

He added: “Had he been paying tax on that, allowing for base rate allowances, it would have been around £3,080.”

Blackmail charge denied

Harker was initially charged with blackmail – which he denied, the broadcaster said. However, prosecutors accepted a guilty plea to income tax evasion.

The dangerous driving offence was said to relate to the defendant “flying through red lights” in his BMW while driving on the wrong side of the road in Hartlepool in 2022.

In mitigation, David Hall, his barrister, said Harker had health problems.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Stephen Earl said: “Who said crime doesn’t pay?

“I think I’ve seen this film actually, in 1931, when finally the FBI got Al Capone for his dealings with hooch, prostitution and drugs.

“Of course, they couldn’t get him on any of those things and what did they get him on? Evasion of income tax.”