A Bridlington fisherman has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to a significant breach of trust, stealing more than £35,000 from his employer.
A Pattern of Deceit Uncovered
Lewis Collinson, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from Enterprise Fishing Ltd at Hull Crown Court. The offences took place between October and November 2020. Collinson, a share fisherman, had been provided with a company credit card and a van after the firm acquired Grimes Shellfish Ltd, with which he was previously involved.
Prosecutor Stephen Welch outlined how Collinson's fraud unfolded. He was permitted to spend up to £500 on the card without authorisation, but an investigation revealed a series of unauthorised cash withdrawals totalling £26,700.
The specific withdrawals were:
- £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
Furthermore, Collinson made unauthorised purchases on the card amounting to £1,347, including £870 for a bed and £477 to a children's nursery. In a final act, he sold the company's van, valued at £7,000, bringing the total theft to £35,047.
Betrayal and Business Impact
When initially questioned by police, Collinson claimed the cash was for boat-related expenses but could not provide receipts or recall specifics. He also asserted he had permission for the card purchases, claims which were disproven.
The breach of trust had a severe impact on the company. A director expressed profound upset, stating Collinson's actions damaged the firm's local standing and forced the sale of other assets at reduced prices to cover the immediate financial shortfall. The company spent £1,000 to retrieve the sold van.
A spokesman highlighted the "critical business loss" and the significant stress caused by repeated court appearances, noting the situation took a "strong emotional toll" on those involved.
Mitigation and Sentence
In mitigation, defence counsel Michael Masson stated Collinson had been "left to his own devices" by owners based in Northern Ireland and Ireland, and was tasked with managing the business. Collinson accepted he "failed in his efforts" and acted dishonestly.
It was noted that an initial charge regarding £100,000-worth of lobster pots was dropped, dramatically reducing the scope of the case. Collinson, who had no previous convictions, had maintained other employment.
Judge Paul Watson KC sentenced Collinson to an 18-month prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Confiscation proceedings to reclaim the stolen funds are scheduled for a future date.
