Cage fighter spared jail over fraud

A top cage fighter who claimed to have no earnings while making thousands of pounds from the sport has been spared jail.

Ian Freeman, dubbed 'The Machine', travelled the world to take part in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but hid his earnings from the taxman.

The 41-year-old cheated the authorities out of more than £30,000 over a three-year period, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Freeman and his wife Angela, 34, admitted three fraud charges dating back to January 2003, June 2004 and July 2006, relating to tax credits they received by failing to declare his earnings.

Angela Wrottesley, prosecuting, told the court: "Investigations conducted revealed he was in employment, involved in a wide variety of ventures which led to renumeration.

"He is a mixed martial arts specialist who received paid contracts to demonstrate his skills and fights across the world and within the UK.

"Furthermore, the defendant makes regular appearances on television, and had secured contracts to involve himself in TV productions.

"In addition, he has written a book, and operates a business called Pride and Glory.

"He was acting as a promoter, putting on fight nights, using his name as the attraction."

The charges related to £12,352 Freeman and his wife, of Badger's Wood, Stanley, County Durham, were overpaid in tax credits by failing to declare his earnings.

Freeman also failed to declare his earnings to the taxman, evading income tax of £21,128 he would have been liable to.

He also admitted giving false salary details to obtain a £250,000 mortgage.

At a sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Brian Forster heard evidence of Freeman's community and charity work for terminally ill and underprivileged children.

Freeman also presented a bundle of 90 written references to the court.

Judge Forster sentenced Freeman to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with a curfew between 8.30pm and 5am for six weeks, as well as 120 hours' unpaid work.

The judge told him: "Many people do not like paying tax, but everyone accepts that the burden should be shared among members of the community."

He said it was only because of Freeman's charitable and community work that the sentence was suspended.

Freeman's wife was given a community order with a curfew, also for six weeks.