A fisherman named Lewis Collinson has been accused of deceiving a fishing company by embezzling funds, making unauthorized purchases, and selling a company vehicle. Collinson, 38, from Bridlington, admitted to stealing over £35,000 from Enterprise Fishing Ltd between October and November 2020.
The court heard that Collinson, who was a share fisherman associated with Grimes Shellfish Ltd acquired by Enterprise Fishing Ltd, misused company funds by withdrawing cash amounts totaling £26,700 on various dates and making unauthorized purchases amounting to £1,347. Additionally, he sold the company’s van for £7,000, resulting in a total theft of £35,047.
Prosecutors revealed that Collinson was provided with a credit card for expenses up to £500, with any exceeding amount requiring company approval. Collinson claimed the cash withdrawals were for boat-related expenses but could not provide receipts to support his claims. He also admitted to the theft and sale of the van.
Collinson’s actions were condemned by company officials, expressing disappointment in his breach of trust and the negative impact on the company’s investments. The stolen money was described as a significant loss, leading to the sale of assets at reduced prices to cover the financial shortfall.
In his defense, Collinson’s lawyer cited his challenging family circumstances as a contributing factor to his poor decisions. Despite Collinson’s lack of prior convictions, he was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work. Confiscation proceedings are scheduled for a later date.