A FILM producer from Leamington has been ordered to pay £100,000 after conning the taxman out of more than £2million.
Christina Slater, 37, of Copps Road, was jailed for four years last July after being found guilty of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue and one count of fraud.
She had worked with 40 year-old Christopher Walsh Atkins from London to create BAFTA-nominated film Starsuckers, which attacked press ethics.
They were found to be taking advantage of a government scheme which supported British films. The duo said they made financial losses on two film projects, which enabled them to falsely claim back around £40,000 in tax relief for every £20,000 they invested.
They faced a confiscation hearing at Southwark Crown Court where they were ordered to repay more than £200,000 within three months or face a further two years in prison.
Slater was also ordered to pay £46,000 in prosecution costs.
It has been reported the pair still have more than £600,000 of available assets between them.
Judge Martin Beddoe said: “Provided Mr Atkins and Miss Slater pay half of the overall sum in benefit, just over £100,000, they will hear no more about it.”
