A FORMER ultimate fighting champion has been spared jail after he admitted a three-year tax fraud.

Ian Freeman – dubbed The Machine by ultimate fighting fans – avoided paying income tax and national insurance by failing to declare his earnings as a no-holds-barred fighter around the world.

During that period, Freeman and his wife, Angela, a pharmacy assistant, also received £12,352 in tax credits to which they were not entitled.

Freeman also falsely said he had annual income of £70,000 to make a mortgage application for their £250,000 home in Badger’s Wood, Stanley, County Durham.

During the sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Freeman broke down in tears when he heard a friend describe in court his charity work helping his terminally ill son.

The 42-year-old sobbed as David Scott told how he had helped his son, Lewis, who is dying from cancer.

His barrister, James Walker, had called Mr Scott to give evidence and also presented the judge with a file of more than 90 references.

Mr Walker said jail would be “quite catastrophic” for him, his wife, his family and the community.

Freeman and his wife admitted three joint counts of making fraudulent claims for tax credits, between January 30, 2003, and July 15, 2006.

The former nightclub doorman also pleaded guilty to evading income tax by failing to declare his earnings, as well as falsely furnishing information relating to the mortgage application.

Judge Brian Forster sentenced Freeman to nine months in jail, suspended for a year.

He said: “You have been well-represented by your barrister and, exceptionally, I can suspend this sentence for a period of 12 months.

“I have been very impressed by the large number of references and by the witnesses who have given evidence in this case. It is clear to me that you have achieved a great deal in your sporting career, but you have not sat back and have dedicated your life to helping disadvantaged members of the public.”

Freeman also received a 120-hour community service order and was given an electronic tag with a weekday curfew, between 8.30pm and 5am, for six weeks. His wife received a six-week community order, with a weekday tagged curfew of 8.30pm to 5am.

The pair, who will each pay £1,000 costs, are now likely to face confiscation proceedings as the Crown seeks to establish what assets they have.

As they left court, they hugged their barristers.