Fisherman helped himself to employer's cash and sold a company van

HE WITHDREW THOUSANDS OF POUNDS AND MADE UNAUTHORISED PURCHASES

- By MARK NAYLOR

A THIEVING fisherman betrayed the trust of a fishing company by brazenly helping himself to thousands of pounds of cash, making unauthorised purchases and selling a company van.

Crafty and calculating Lewis Collinson plundered the money in a shameless scam totalling more than £35,000 after claiming that he was “left to his own devices” and had to “make decisions and manage the business as best he could”, Hull Crown Court heard.

Collinson, 38, of St Johns Avenue, Bridlington, admitted three offences of theft from Enterprise Fishing Ltd between October and November 2020. The case was originally listed for trial but he later pleaded guilty.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that Enterprise Fishing Ltd bought a company called Grimes Shellfish Ltd and, through this, came into contact with Collinson, who was a share fisherman. This was an arrangement where a “share” of any fishing catch was paid to the person after expenses for the trip were split between him and the company.

The company bought a boat and fitted it out but gave Collinson a credit card to pay for expenses as well as giving him a van to use.