LANCASHIRE TV celebrity chef Paul Heathcote has criticised the taxman’s decision to take him to court for ignoring a trading ban.

He said the prosecution was expensive and unnecessary as he had promised to pay compensation for his error over payment of a cash bond.

Mr Heathcote, who received an MBE in 2009, was ordered to pay £10,052 for the offence. The chef had been warned previously by HM Revenue and Customs that unless he put up a cash security to safeguard payment of VAT, he could no longer operate his PH restaurants in Longridge and Preston.

Mr Heathcote, who also founded the Olive Press restaurant in Clitheroe, continued to trade for more than three months after the ban was imposed.

He came to the attention of HMRC when his flagship The Longridge Restaurant, de-registered for VAT in 2011, owing almost £100,000 in unpaid taxes.

On the same day he registered PH Restaurants (Longridge) Ltd and PH Restaurants (Preston) Ltd.

Heathcote faced 30 charges under the VAT Act, and was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £7,052 compensation. He later paid the £25,018 security for the Preston restaurant.

Mr Heathcote said: “I feel strongly that there was no necessity to bring the matter to court and further dialogue would have produced the same conclusion without wasting valuable time and tax payer’s money.

“The result took me by surprise. Both the Olive Press and Heathcotes Brasserie had traded in accordance with HMRC’s requirements other than during the three-month stated.

“The court recognised that weeks before the case was determined that I had paid the bond and that I had also suggested a payment of compensation to HMRC. I was determined to pay every penny due.

“I had offered a sum over £6,000 above that which HMRC sought and have recovered.

“I never disputed or hid from the fact that at a time of financial stress the business had traded without the bond.”

A HMRC spokeswoman said: “We are committed to taking action against those who do not meet their tax and VAT responsibilities, and has for many years prosecuted individuals and businesses for the non-payment of a VAT security.

“It would be inappropriate for HMRC to comment in relation to Mr Heathcote’s business or his business finances.”