David Williams, 53, of Sandwell is the first person jailed following an HM Revenue and Customs clampdown on the plumbing sector last year.

Nine more plumbers have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Williams was arrested in September 2011 after an HMRC investigation which uncovered thousands of pounds in cash at his home.

Adrian Farley, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Today’s sentencing is a result of our drive to clamp down on tax evasion committed specifically by plumbers, gas fitters, heating engineers, electricians and others who fail to declare their earnings and pay the right tax.

“Tax evasion deprives our country of vital resources and gives tax cheats an unfair advantage over their business competitors so we will not hesitate to investigate those we suspect of evading tax.”

On sentencing, His Honour Judge Challinor, said: “You were squirreling the money away, it was based on greed. Those tempted to avoid paying income tax must be deterred.”

Williams pleaded guilty to charges of Evasion of Income Tax, contrary to the Taxes Management Act 1970.