A Bridlington fisherman has been sentenced after admitting to stealing more than £35,000 from his employers by making unauthorised cash withdrawals and selling a company vehicle.
Shameless Scam Uncovered in Court
Lewis Collinson, 38, of St Johns Avenue, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from Enterprise Fishing Ltd at Hull Crown Court. The offences took place between October and November 2020. The case was initially set for trial before Collinson changed his plea.
Prosecutor Stephen Welch outlined how Collinson, a share fisherman, was given a company credit card and van after Enterprise Fishing Ltd purchased Grimes Shellfish Ltd. He was authorised to make payments up to £500 without prior approval, but any larger sums required company agreement.
The Scale of the Fraudulent Transactions
An investigation revealed a series of unauthorised cash withdrawals totalling £26,700 in late 2020:
- £9,900 on 16 October
- £2,400 on 29 October
- £1,900 on 3 November
- £5,500 on 10 November
- £3,000 on 19 November
- £4,000 on 24 November
Collinson also used the card for unauthorised purchases including £870 for a bed and £477 to a children's nursery, adding £1,347 to the total. Furthermore, he sold a company van valued at £7,000. The business later spent £1,000 to recover the vehicle, bringing the gross theft to £35,047.
Impact on the Business and Court Sentencing
In court statements, company representatives described the "critical business loss" and damage to their local reputation. The breach of trust caused significant stress, forced the sale of other assets at reduced prices, and took a "strong emotional toll" on those involved.
During police interviews, Collinson claimed the cash was for boat-related expenses but could provide no receipts or specific details. His defence barrister, Michael Masson, stated Collinson felt "left to his own devices" by owners based in Northern Ireland and Ireland, and accepted he "failed in his efforts to manage that business."
An initial charge regarding £100,000-worth of lobster pots was dropped, leading to a "dramatic reduction in the scope of the offending." Collinson, who had no previous convictions but had received cautions for unrelated matters, was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Confiscation proceedings will follow at a later date.
