A former tax office worker has been jailed for two years and nine months after he provided details on companies for use in a multi-million pound scam.

Imran Ajaib used his insider knowledge to pass on information to others hoping to net more than £3 million in reclaimed tax.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how Ajaib was employed as an administrative assistant at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs accounts office in Shipley in February, 2006, and within weeks began accessing information which was passed on.

Prosecutor Annabel Darlow said the conspiracy involved false claims for tax repayments with bogus addresses being submitted to Companies House and false bank accounts being set up.

In total false applications for repayments of more than £3 million were submitted during the 12-month period of the conspiracy from March, 2006.

Only one application was successfully processed and cashed – an application for a total of £2 million on behalf of an unsuspecting shoe company.

Miss Darlow said the Revenue had been able to recover all but £290,000 of the payment.

“Various corporations were targeted and used as vehicles without their knowledge or consent for the making of false applications for tax repayments in their name,” said Miss Darlow.

The court heard that Ajaib, 27, who now lives in Bristol, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to cheat in August.

Yesterday Recorder Neil Clark told him that he had been part of a very professional and organised effort to cheat the Revenue.

The court heard that at the time of the conspiracy Ajaib claimed to be under financial pressure, but the judge noted that he had become involved in the conspiracy very soon after obtaining employment at the tax office.

“You were in a position of considerable trust,” said Recorder Clark.

The judge accepted that Ajaib, who is now married with a young child, was not the instigator or prime mover in the conspiracy, but he said the offence was a very serious matter and the breach of trust was the most serious aggravating feature.

“Anybody in public office, as you were, who breaches that sort of confidence has to expect a custodial sentence must follow."