A London pastor was handed a two-year suspended sentence for tax fraud involving the underpayment of £72,000 worth of taxes.

According to a release by the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the 42-year old Jerome Uba Anekwe, was a preacher at the El Shaddai Christian Centre from 2004 to 2009.

During his stint as a self employed pastor, the HMRC found that Anekwe earned £238,000, which he failed to declare to the government.

Despite being given an opportunity to rectify his record by using the HMRC's Contractual Disclosure Facility, he did not do so.

In its decision, HMRC said Anekwe was aware of his responsibility in paying the proper taxes, as well as the options open to him to set his financial affairs in order.

The agency further said that Anekwe could have avoided criminal charges and damage to his reputation but he did not do anything to resolve his outstanding tax issues.

"He was offered the chance to put his financial affairs in order, and he could have avoided a criminal record and serious damage to his reputation but, even at that stage, he continued to lie. Now he is paying the price for his dishonesty," said Chris Gill, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the HMRC.

"HMRC takes tax fraud extremely seriously and anyone deliberately choosing to evade their taxes will be prosecuted. This sends a clear message that we will try and give people a chance to put their affairs in order, but if they refuse to we will take firm action," he added.

Anekwe pleaded guilty to Cheating Public Revenue on February 19 and was sentenced March 23.

Aside from a two year sentence suspended for two years, the pastor was also ordered to fulfil 100 hours of unpaid labour and pay £2,500.