Chris Martin, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigations (not the lead singer from Coldplay), said:

“I would like to thank my colleagues in City of London Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and HM Revenue & Customs who worked so hard and with great professionalism to get this complex case before a jury.

“Tax evasion is not a victimless crime because every penny of tax evaded reduces the UK’s ability to pay down the deficit and support our public services. That is why we relentlessly pursue those we believe are evading tax.

“I have no regrets about pursuing this case because it was vitally important that the facts were put before a jury for their consideration. We accept the verdict of the jury but I would like to remind those who are evading tax by using offshore tax havens that it always makes sense to come forward and talk to us before we come to talk to you.”

Details of charges

MILAN MANDARIC and HENRY JAMES REDKNAPP were charged as follows:

Count 1 

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

CHEATING THE PUBLIC REVENUE, contrary to Common Law.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

MILAN MANDARIC and HENRY JAMES REDKNAPP, between the 1st day of April 2002 and the 28th day of November 2007, at the material times respectively the Chairman and the Football Manager of Portsmouth City Football Club Limited, with intent to defraud and to the prejudice of HM Revenue and Customs, arranged for $145,000, paid by Milan Mandaric as a result of or in connection with Henry James Redknapp’s employment and as a reward for services, to be transferred to a Monaco bank account opened by Henry James Redknapp for that purpose, in order to conceal the said emolument from HM Revenue and Customs and evade the payment of Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions thereon (whether by the operation of PAYE by the club or otherwise).

Count 2

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

CHEATING THE PUBLIC REVENUE, contrary to Common Law.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

MILAN MANDARIC and HENRY JAMES REDKNAPP, between the 1st day of May 2004 and the 28th day of November 2007, at the material times the Chairman and the Football Manager of Portsmouth City Football Club Limited, with intent to defraud and to the prejudice of HM Revenue and Customs, arranged for $150,000, paid by Milan Mandaric as a result of or in connection with Henry James Redknapp’s employment and as a reward for services, to be transferred to a Monaco bank account opened by Henry James Redknapp for that purpose, in order to conceal the said employment income from HM Revenue and Customs and evade the payment of Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions thereon (whether by the operation of PAYE by the club or otherwise).