GRAND NATIONAL-winning racehorse trainer Norman Mason has been fined £54,000 over failure to pay tax.

Mason's Red Marauder romped to victory in 2001, but at the same time, the North-East businessman was struggling financially.

Between 1999 and 2002, he failed to pay £250,000 in VAT for three of his businesses.

Geoffrey Knowles, in mitigation, said Mason's amusement arcades business had already suffered by losing more than £3m because of publicity surrounding the case.

Stuart Graham, for Customs and Excise, said there was no excuse for Mason's companies, with a quick cash turnover, not to keep up to date with payments.

Mason, 67, of High Street West, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of failure to pay tax, at Sunderland Magistrates' Court yesterday

Self-made millionaire Mason was born in Sunderland and owns a 40-horse stable at Brancepeth Manor Farm, near Durham.

His proudest achievement in the sport came in April 2001, when 33-1 shot Red Marauder won at Aintree.

The Mason Organisation, based above Chambers Nightclub, in High Street West, runs bingo clubs, pubs and amusement arcades and employs 500 people.

Mr Mason supports many charities in the city, and in 1994, donated £5,000 to help buy resuscitation equipment for the then-Sunderland General Hospital.

He has used money from his leisure interests to bankroll his love of racing, which developed after he was given a brood mare as payment for a debt more than 30 years ago.