AN ACCOUNTANT to the stars has been found guilty of evading more than £6 million in tax.

Denis Christopher Carter Lunn, known as Christopher, dealt with more than 7,000 clients including Fiona Bruce, Sean Pertwee and Sadie Frost.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigated his Crowborough-based firm Christopher Lunn and Co for five years before Lunn was arrested.

Officers found evidence of serious offences, including inflating accountancy fees and fraudulently using trading losses – all intended to help Lunn and his clients avoid paying their share of tax.

There is no suggestion the clients knew of the alleged fraudulent practices.

Lunn stood trial at Southwark Crown Court in September 2013 charged with six counts of cheating the public revenue but was acquitted of two charges.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining four.

He has now been convicted after a retrial after the jury found him guilty of four of the counts.

The 69-year-old, of Roedean Road, Tunbridge Wells, will be sentenced on January 6.

Confiscation proceedings are being considered to reclaim any financial gain obtained as a result of his criminal activity.

Lunn's son, Christopher Jonathan Lunn, known as Jon, also worked at the firm. The former soldier, was convicted in December last year of six counts of fraud.

He had sent false invoices to HMRC to try to cover up the fraud in the practice.

Jennie Granger, the HMRC's director general, enforcement and compliance, said: "Lunn believed he could make up fraudulent claims to benefit both himself and his clients. Hard work from HMRC officers across the department proved him wrong. This long-running investigation has already recovered £20 million, as Lunn’s former clients settle their tax liabilities, with more to come.

“I hope this result serves as a reminder to those who try to cheat the public purse – particularly those in the tax profession – that no one is above the law and that HMRC will relentlessly pursue tax evaders to bring them before the courts."

She added that as Lunn's clients were unaware of his actions, they have been offered a chance to put things right for themselves, by paying any tax and interest due.

She added: "Any client who has not yet come forward pending the outcome of the trial is encouraged to speak to HMRC to bring their affairs up to date as many of his clients have already done."